The transaction, which was for an undisclosed sum, is in line with Staffline’s stated strategy of making acquisitions to broaden its revenue streams.

The deal follows the company’s acquisition of the food and catering recruitment company A La Carte in June 2010.

Andy Hogarth, Staffline’s chairman and chief executive, comments that Kelburn is a good fit with the company and that it will continue to look for similar acquisitions.

Established in 1979, Kelburn provides permanent and temporary recruitment services to companies as well as online recruitment advice and psychometric testing to jobhunters. The Newcastle-based business has clients in sectors including engineering and finance and accounting.

Nottingham-based Staffline provides staff recruitment services to businesses in the manufacturing and food processing sectors. In 2009, the AIM-listed company declared a pre-tax profit of £3.5 million on sales of £115 million.