THE number of job vacancies has increased and will soon hit 800,000, a report has said.

A study says the 14 per cent growth is the result of a rise in manufacturing and engineering jobs.

These posts have been fuelled by strong recovery in the car industry and decision by firms to bring work back to the UK.

However, advertised salaries fell in January by an average of more than £2,000, according to the research carried out by jobs website Adzuna.

Andrew Hunter, Adzuna co-founder, said: “Manufacturing will play a key role in the rejuvenation of the UK's economy.

“It will help increase the productivity of the labour force, and help us catch up with overseas competitors.

“The Bank of England has cited that greater economic productivity is needed to validate wage expectations, and manufacturing is one of the key vehicles to drive this forward.

“Unemployment is far lower than a year ago, and if advertised vacancies continue to grow, we expect the number of available jobs to easily break through the 800,000 barrier on average in February.”