The number of people signing on the dole in Oxfordshire has fallen for the seventh successive month.

Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show 5,498 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in September, a drop of 253 on the previous month. The figure is the lowest since November 2008.

There are now 1,202 fewer people claiming the benefit than a year ago.

Nationally, the claimant count fell by 41,700, the biggest monthly fall since June 1997.