Globe-trotting Keighley woman Jo Pagdin has abandoned a life on the ocean wave - to join dad Dennis at the town's Rotherwood Recruit-ment employment agency.

Jo, 27, has spent virtually all the last eight years travelling. She has back-packed once round the world and completed three full world cruises and three part world cruises.

"I wanted to come home for a new challenge," she says. "After eight years of travelling I just felt it was time to come back to the real world. Working on an ocean liner is not as glamorous as you might think. It is hard work and you don't often get the chance to leave the ship and see the sights."

Jo is no stranger to the Rotherwood agency, having spent some time temping there after leaving school. In 1990 the travelling bug bit, and she bought a round the world ticket and stayed in Australia for nearly a year.

In 1992 she began working for P&O Cruises, serving on the mv Sea Princess for three years, first as a junior assistant purser and then assistant purser. Her duties included manning a reception desk and doing passenger immigration and passage work.

She transferred to the Oriana in 1995 as private secretary to the Commodore and senior officers, and was involved in the commissioning of the new superliner. Later she was promoted to senior assistant purser, in charge of all receptionists and their duties, the crew office and accounts.

Jo has also worked at the P&O head office on a new onboard ship computer system.

Initially her work at Roth-erwood will involve taking over the commercial desk from Linda Bancroft, who is taking maternity leave.

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