A new online service has been launched to provide flexible staffing solutions for Cumbria's cleaning and housekeeping sector.

Top Up Talent, founded by Fiona Shore, helps businesses to register and request services on a shift-by-shift basis, addressing common challenges such as recruitment issues, sickness, or annual leave cover.

Cleaners seeking employment can declare their availability and desired pay rate, restricting proposed shifts to only those fitting their criteria.

The digital platform allows businesses to submit their available shifts, linking them to qualified cleaners and housekeepers whose availability and requirements match.

While lending a hand to companies seeking ad hoc personnel, this initiative also offers individuals the freedom to select their working hours, thus supplementing their earnings as required.

Ms Shore, who also owns Near Howe Cottages, a popular getaway in the Lake District, understands first-hand the struggles of finding staff.

She said: "As somebody who works in the tourist industry, I know from personal experience how challenging it can be for businesses to find housekeeping and/or cleaning staff - but I also know there are cleaners available and looking for work.

"Top Up Talent is very much aimed at helping meet this real need and we hope that as it grows it can help ease some of the staffing pressures in Cumbria’s holiday and hospitality industry."

Once registered, firms can set forth their requirements, indicating specific times, dates, and hourly pay rates.

Cleaners or housekeepers seeking employment simply indicate when they are available, their preferred area of operation, and their hourly rates.

Platform users also benefit from being covered by a £5m public liability insurance.