The MI6 branch of the secret service made famous by James Bond is turning to provincial cities to boost its latest recruitment drive.

Although traditionally associated with Oxbridge universities when looking for staff, the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) is looking at other towns and cities to help widen its recruitment pool.

Recruiters for the organisation have spoken with a local newspaper in Peterborough extolling the benefits of working within the SIS and are keen to tap into the area's ethnically diverse workforce.

The SIS is currently looking for staff to fill all grades after overhauling its once-secretive recruitment process with the launch of its own website at www.mi6.gov.uk.