City traders are hanging up the traditional multi-coloured jackets of the London trading floors to work closer to home.

With new technology sweeping the industry, the hustle and bustle of the City markets is set to become a thing of the past as more and more traders are shunning the city and setting up in their home towns.

John Horlock worked on the trading floors in London for 12 years but has now opted for the quieter life of Billericay. He said: "There is absolutely no reason to be in London any more. Just set up a satellite centre and away you go."

The new offices at Link House in the High Street, Billericay, run by Global Direct Dealing, have space for 30 independent traders.

Picture, top: Online and off the floor - John Horlock and other traders in their Billericay office.

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