FEWER and fewer people are claiming job seekers allowance in the Cotswolds.

New figures released last week show that unemployment in the district has fallen by 13 per cent year on year – and the news is even better for young people.

Just 56 of the 305 claiming job seekers allowance are 18 to 24. At the height of the recession some parts of the country were seeing up to a third of young people out of work.

Mike Nicholls, a spokesman for Gloucestershire Job Centre, said the figures were a sign of a buoyant labour market, helped along by the hospitality sector.

He added: “Cirencester has a Beef Eater and Premier Inn under construction at the moment when that is built it could create around 60 or 70 jobs."