Getting a start

Hi everyone,
I used to drive HGV’s class 1 and 2 around nine years ago and then I stopped and went into another industry that has now been decimated due to the current oil price.The question I have is how I cannot seem to get a start even with agency’s in my local area (Lincolnshire) where there appears to be a lot of work. Is it my lack of recent experience that is putting these companies off and will I be lower now in the pecking order then even newly qualified drivers even though I have had my class 1 over 12 years. any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks