FIRMS are spending more money on staff training, according to a Medway firm.

Leaps and Bounds Training, based at Sir Thomas Longley Road, Medway City Estate, has seen a big rise in the number of professional businesses using its management development, coaching and customer service programmes.

It claims investing in training means that staff are more likely to stay with the employer. Bill Esterson, director of Leaps and Bounds, said: "More and more companies are beginning to recognise that effective training can deliver big financial gains.

"For example, one company that approached us in need of management development support has seen a reduction in staff turnover from 46 per cent to 28 per cent in one year following their training.

"As businesses tighten up external spending, resources that bring them a genuine return for their investment are thriving and we are seeing a real shift in the number of companies that are approaching us for help."