A marketing company which employs native speakers of dozens of languages was named Student Employer of the Year by Oxford Brookes University Student Union.

Advanced Alchemy has offices in Bicester and Oxford as well as overseas.

Driver Hire Recruitment Agency, of St Clements, and market research firm NOP World, of King Charles House, Park End Street, received awards of excellence.

All three were praised by students for providing a friendly and enjoyable working environment.

Sue Holton, of the student union, said: "The award recognised employers who offer our students a variety of excellent work experience while they gain their degree.

"We also aim to encourage students to appreciate that while they're undertaking part-time or vacation work they're picking up valuable skills and improving their future employability.

"The standard of entries was high. All three organisations demonstrate a recognition of the demands upon students."