An alliance of experts has been forged to fight the problem of fraudulent job applications and bogus CVs.

Clean CV, based in Wadhurst, has brought together universities, recruitment firms and outplacement experts in the bid to crack down on phoney credentials.

Research shows up to a third of all job applicants make false or exaggerated claims about their qualifications and half of employers never check if a candidate's CV is genuine.

Honest job seekers can lose out unfairly to people making false claims on their CVs.

A range of organisations from across the recruitment spectrum are supporting the new service.

Universities UK, the body representing university vice-chancellors, the Association of Graduate Recruiters and the Institute of Legal Executives, are all supporting it.

Clean CV was devised by the Steven Edwards, chief executive of Wadhurst-based International Register of Verified Qualifications, a private qualifications checking company, in partnership with a public information charity BSS.