The number of people out of work and claiming benefits in the county rose slightly in August, latest figures have revealed.

A total of 7,518 people claimed Jobseekers Allowance, up 88 on the previous month and representing 1.8 per cent of the working population.

But the statistics also showed 1,790 fewer claimants than the same time last year.

Nationally, the claimant count rose by an unexpected 2,300 last month to 1.47 million, marking the first increase since January.

But Britain also saw the largest rise in employment since records began in the three months to July as 286,000 more people secured jobs.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics suggested the recordbreaking leap came largely as those classed as economically inactive, such as students, took on jobs.