HUNDREDS of people flocked to The Northern Echo's job fair.

The event, in its ninth year, included exhibits by 26 employers, recruitment agencies and training organisations.

Interview rooms were made available at the venue, the Blackwell Grange Hotel, in Darlington, for companies to talk to prospective employees.

Mike Powell, recruitment manager of Axa Insurance, which sponsored the event, said: "Axa Insurance has been very happy to have sponsored what has been a very successful event.

"This has been a great opportunity for us, as an organisation, to show our continued commitment to the local community.

"We would like to thank The Northern Echo for organising a well-run event."

A competition to win an Orange mobile phone and £100 of phone vouchers was won by Sandra Hawkes, of Spennymoor, County Durham. Forever Living Products, of Bishop Auckland, won a recruitment advert worth £1,000 in The Northern Echo.