The number of people aged 18 to 24 looking for work in Swindon rose slightly compared to this time last year.

Last year, 535 people in that age group were using the Jobcentre and newest figures revealed that this figure has now gone up to 599.

Despite this rise, it is still 36 per cent lower than five years ago, when 938 people in that demographic used the Jobcentre.

Overall, 3,618 people were looking for work in Swindon, which is up by five per cent (172) from the October 2018 figures but down by a quarter (1,195) from five years ago.

Jobcentre manager Julie Marshall said: “In the office this week, we had a virtual jobs fair that’s going quite well and it’s the first time we’ve done it.

“It’s a drop-in session where we sit with people and help them go online to apply for different kinds of employment each day. So far, we’ve had help from TK Maxx, Voyage Care, DeVere Hotel and the New College careers advice service.

“We've had lots of demand from employers in the hospitality, heath and social care, logistics drivers, warehouse work, construction and retail sectors."

"Companies including Wilmott Dixon, ITS Construction, Aldi The Range, Marks and Spencer, Stanton House Hotel have had vacancies available.

"We've also worked with Wiltshire Police for their vacancies and recruitment of officers along with our disability programme."