This is the view of Gill Frigerio, acting director of the careers and employability centre at Warwick University.

Staff at the centre offer advice, guidance and information about the options available to students and graduates, offering them use of resources such as employer directories, films about interviewing and aptitude tests.

Ms Frigerio said: "We do have a lot of students who aspire to career areas that they perceive to be London-based.

“There is some truth in it, but there are many opportunities in the Coventry and Warwickshire area and we are very keen to promote such opportunities."

Ms Frigerio pointed out that many of the graduates that she and her colleagues have worked with, who chose to stay in the area, have gone on to work in a range of sectors including marketing, public relations, finance, accounting, law, media, local government, the voluntary sector and advertising.

She added: "It's great to see our students seeking out these opportunities. A lot of them are smaller organisations so it's often harder for them to get themselves known.

And she stressed: “We'd be delighted to hear from interested employers."

Mike Pidgeon, from Huddersfield, graduated from a degree in engineering at Warwick University this year and took up his role as the students' union communications officer in August.

The 21-year-old said: "I applied for a job here because I wanted to be involved in the students' union. I'm not yet sure what I will do when the term is up, but I have lived in Leamington for two years as a student and I will certainly consider looking for a job there. I'd like to get into teaching.

"I think it's an incredibly beautiful town and I've made a lot of friends there - both students and non-students. I'd certainly like to return here at some point in my life even if I do end up moving elsewhere next year.

"I think most people would agree that there is a high quality of living in Leamington, and that the vast majority of students find it extremely welcoming and they do want to stay."

Ed Jassamine is managing director at Leamington IT recruitment company TLG UK, based in Morrell Street. He thinks employers in the area should work together to try to prevent a 'brain drain'.

He said: "Leamington is a very good base for people to set up their lives, but it's not a cheap place to live. Having said that, somebody already living in graduate accommodation is more likely to stay and take these jobs.

"An awful lot of Warwick University students base themselves in Leamington while they are studying and then would like to stay in the area. We are very keen to make sure that this talent is not lost to other parts of the country.

"It’s really important that companies are aware that if they can work collectively, there is an opportunity to keep the talent in the area.