UNEMPLOYMENT levels on a Darlington estate have dropped by almost half since the creation of a job-seeking scheme.

Firthmoor into Work was set up in May 2002, to provide help, advice and training to get residents back to work, particularly after a long period of unemployment.

More than 250 people, from all walks of life have signed up to the project, run by the Morrisons Enterprise Trust, and so far 165 people have found new jobs.

Following its success, the trust now has the funding to launch a similar scheme in the Lascelles area of town early next year.

Firthmoor into Work is based at Maidendale House, the estate's community centre, and provides career guidance at all levels. Caroline Evans and Andrew Ellis work on site helping people to prepare CVs and application forms, search for jobs on the internet, decide on a career that best suits their needs and put them in touch with other agencies.

Mrs Evans even goes so far as to check local jobs advertised in shop windows in order to recommend some of her clients.

The scheme also provides training for certain skills, such as forklift truck driving, and offers a back-to-work grant of £50 for when people first start a new job.

Diane Woodcock, spokeswoman for the trust, said: "We offer a local, friendly service and are able to give people time and help to build their confidence. We use loads of different web sites to search for jobs and we now get local employers coming to us hoping we know somebody suitable for a position.

"Our aim is to match people with a job that suits them to ensure they stay employed for longer and we help give them skills to find permanent employment."

The scheme, which costs about £28,000 a year to run, is funded through the single regeneration budget, with contributions from the Morrisons Enterprise Trust.

Scheme organisers hope to secure some European funding in the New Year to provide more training and double the back-to-work grant to £100.