JOBSEEKERS, employers and training providers came together for an annual event organised by The Northern Echo yesterday.

Job Fair 2001 was held at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, in conjunction with Darlington Borough Council.

The event was organised alongside the council's Darlington Into Work project and was opened by Darlington MP Alan Milburn.

He said: "The Job Fair is an important opportunity, because it matches people looking for work or training with the organisations who can provide it. There are more jobs available than ever before, and obviously there is still some way to go in our region to get to full employment. But that should be our ambition."

Colin Tapping, The Northern Echo's deputy editor, said: "There was a very encouraging turnout and we hope the Job Fair has gone some way to helping people in their future careers. The Northern Echo is always keen to play a positive role in the community."