MI5 tries to lure women spies

Britain's security service MI5 is keen to bring more women on board as it launches a new recruitment campaign this week the latest stage in a drive to double its size.

The domestic spy agency, around 1,800 strong at the time of the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001, has swelled its ranks to more than 3,000 and expects to reach 3,500 by the end of next year.

But despite being able to point to two recent female leaders, it is struggling to attract women recruits. While women make up around 47 percent of all employees, they account for only 38 percent of new applicants.