More than 600 people visited the first Abingdon Job Fair within 15 minutes of the event opening.

Visitors at the job fair

Recruitment consultancies, businesses, educational institutions, the Vale of White Horse District Council and the Army were among the organisations represented at the fair, organised by the Oxford Mail at the town's Guidhall yesterday.

Trudy Thomson, the Mail's digital and new business development manager, said: "Lots of people have been asking about industrial jobs.

"We'll be looking to do another one in another market town."

Dave Inkersole, 42, of Sandleigh Road, Wootton, and Mike Shepherd, 45, of Sutton Wick Lane, Drayton, were both made redundant recently and were looking at employment opportunities.

Mr Shepherd said: "It is good that there is such a thing, although firms are a bit under-represented."

Mr Inkersole added: "The fact it was busy from 11am shows how many people are interested in looking for work."

Mohammed Nawaz, 23, of St Thomas' Street, Oxford, said: "It's good to get the chance to meet people face-to-face."

Alison Rogers, of recruitment consultancy Westaff, said: "I'm looking into having a stall next year."