THREE employees with Southampton based business advisers Numerica are celebrating after having successfully qualified as local counter fraud specialists (LCFS) in the southern region.

Vicki Davies, Teresa Thomas and Gill Livingstone, all qualified internal auditors, went through rigorous exams, research and investigative interviews in order to gain the accreditation from the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board.

The work of the LCFS was primarily set up to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS.

The health service saved nearly half a billion pounds during the last five years through fraud investigations.

Vicki said: "Fraud against any organisation is unacceptable and our qualification and training mean we will have the opportunity to provide investigation services to the public and private sector.''