JOBHUNTERS in Hartlepool have been given a boost with the announcement that the number of unemployed people in the town has fallen.

Figures for July, published by Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit, show 8.6 per cent of the town's population was unemployed. This is a 3.4 per cent drop on the 12 per cent figure for the corresponding period 12 months ago.

The news has been welcomed in the borough, which up until recently had the highest levels of unemployment in the Tees Valley area over the past five years.

Hartlepool Borough Council leader Arthur Preece said: "This is encouraging news and reflects the good progress which is being made by everyone in Hartlepool to tackle unemployment."

The town has also just won almost £8m of Government Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funding for the Headland, and also has a bid in for New Deal for Communities money.

Coun Preece said: "The recent regeneration cash announcement for the Headland is just one example of how many organisations are working hard together to improve the future prospects of the town.

"However, despite the good progress which has been made there is still much to be done, and we cannot become complacent in the efforts to bring unemployment down even further.