HUNDREDS of job hunters descended on the Oxford Mail Job Fair yesterday.

Stalls were set up at the town hall by many of the region’s major employers, including the Army, Oxford City Council and British Gas.

And, although many of the estimated 900 people who attended said it was difficult to find a job, most remained hopeful.

Peter Epsley, 50, from Didcot, said he had taken a year out after the breakdown of a relationship, but was confident he would be back in work soon.

He said: “It’s just a numbers game – the more applications you get out there, the better your chances.

“I’m not worried because I’m a bit older and I know how to budget, but I know it’s a difficult time for many.”

That was the sentiment echoed by Dale Cox, 29, and his partner Samantha Webb, 23.

Ms Webb gave up work to have their 14-week-old daughter Adele, but is now looking to get back into care work.

Mr Cox said: “If you’re willing to do anything, there’s work out there.”

RAF engineer Stuart Hardy, 47, from Long Hanborough, is expecting to lose his job in the upcoming Government defence review, so was getting a head start on the competition.

He said: “There is work out there but only if you have an open mind and are willing to move, or use your more transferable skills.”

The number of people out of work in Oxfordshire and claiming benefits rose slightly in August.

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.

Marcia Bowden, 26, from Clifton Hampden, has just been made redundant from Oxfordshire County Council. She said: “It’s my last day on Thursday, as I was working for the Pathfinder project, which was hit hard by Government cuts.

“I don’t show it, but I’m very worried about being able to find another job. There are so many people in the same boat, it is hard to get yourself seen by employers.”

Max Caterton, 19, from Wantage, has been looking for a job for a year. He said: “I’ve applied to so many Jobs and have done a qualification in customer service just to boost my CV.

“But lots of people older than me are being made redundant and they have so much more experience. It’s hard to compete.”

Brian Cobb, 40, from Wheatley, who was trying to find a job with son Ashley, 18, said: “I never thought we’d both be in the same boat, but I was made redundant three weeks ago and Ashley has just left school.

“Hopefully by sticking with it and coming to job fairs like this, we will both be back in work soon.”