MI5 is desperate to find mature, middle-aged managers to work for the secret service.

But the government is after mild-mannered office workers rather than dashing Pierce Brosnan lookalikes to become the next generation of spooks.

The Sun reports that the secret service is not after daredevils, but people who can bring analytical, communication and management skills to the desk-based positions.

An MI5 spokesman said the organisation was trying to shed its image, which was created by fictional portrayals of secret agents in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels and countless films.

The old image of the super agent with his Walther PPK pistol and a licence to kill was out of date, the spokesman said.

MI5 began openly recruiting 10 years ago but this is the first time the government organisation has actively targeted middle managers.

Anyone interested in finding a career in MI5 can visit its website at www.mi5careers.co.uk.