The research, produced by Markit Economics, finds "marginal increases" in both permanent and temporary appointments in August.

For permanent staff, this is the first increase since early 2007.

"This is first time we have seen really positive news for the UK jobs market in 17 months," said Bernard Brown from KPMG, co-sponsor of the survey.

The survey is said to be the most comprehensive guide to the UK labour market.

'Confident'

The report also found that the decline in the number of vacancies is easing, and that the decline in pay is the slowest in 10 months.

"It seems that employers are becoming more confident in their hiring decisions," said Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, the survey's other co-sponsor.

However, the report said it was too early to say whether the encouraging figures signalled an end to the recession.

The latest jobless figures showed that the number of people out of work in the UK has risen to its highest level since 1995.

Unemployment increased by 220,000 to 2,435,000 in the three months to June, taking the jobless rate to 7.8%.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk/business