Travelodge is launching the next phase of its parents recruitment programme, targeting mothers and fathers looking to get back into work.

The hotel chain, which operates 567 hotels across the UK, is aiming to fill 1,500 jobs with flexible hours that fit around the school run, as well as access to management training.

The company received 45,000 applications when it first started the programme earlier this year, filling 3,000 positions.

The company is offering jobs across its UK hotels, head office and at its new hotels opening this year in Edinburgh,London, Rochester and Sittingbourne.

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Jobs include hotel manager, receptionist, bar staff and supervisor.

Research for Travelodge suggested that most unemployed parents wanted to return to work but reported a scarcity of jobs with flexibility around the school run.

Travelodge spokeswoman Rebecca Baker said: "We have been astounded by the tremendous feedback we have received from mums and dads in all corners of the UK for our new parents recruitment programme.

"This response reinforces our research and highlights that Britain has a vast untapped pool of parents who want to work but want to avoid the costs of school wraparound care.
"We have made it our mission to help unemployed parents return to work in the hospitality sector.

"With a growing network of over 560 hotels across the country, we have a strong established workforce of working parents, offering jobs close to home, flexible hours that can work around the school run, benefits that suit families and a career path into management specifically for mums and dads."

UK drugs giant AstraZeneca has cheered positive results from two separate cardiovascular drug trials.

Shares in the FTSE 100 firm lifted higher in early trading on Monday after it revealed it has made progress with two treatments intended to prevent cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks.

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This is the latest positive news for the firm, which has seen its share value continue to jump in recent months due to strong recent test results.

The pharmaceutical firm said phase three trials of its treatment Brilinta revealed that, alongside aspirin, it reduced the relative risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke by 10% compared with aspirin alone in patients with coronary disease and type 2 diabetes.

The study also highlighted a 15% risk reduction for cardiovascular issues among patients who had previously had procedures to open a blocked coronary artery.

Passport and bank-note maker De La Rue has appointed a new chairman.

It has announced that Kevin Loosemore will join the company from FTSE 100 firm Micro Focus, taking over from Philip Rogerson who will leave the firm after seven years.

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Mr Loosemore will take over the role with immediate effect, the company said in an announcement on Monday.

The move is part of a major reshuffle at the FTSE 250 company which saw former chief executive Martin Sutherland quit in May following a string of profit warnings.

The company is still looking to improve profitability and is also still chasing an £18 million bill which the Venezuelan government has not yet paid.