UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen once more in the city - and experts say it will drop even further when the new £20 million Cathedral Square development opens next month.

Overall, exactly 1,000 people claimed jobseekers allowance in Worcester during May, five per cent down compared to the same month last year and slightly down on the 1,005 claiming during April.

Similarly, the unemployment count for 18-to-24 year olds has also fallen by six percent year-on-year, with 225 claiming jobseekers allowance in May.

The long-awaited Cathedral Square development is now in its final stages of construction, with workers busy laying down the surface for a new public piazza area at the front of the plaza.

It is set to officially open on Saturday, July 29 and Charlanne James, job centre leader at Job Centre Plus, says it will bring a big jobs boost to the city.

"Overall, the picture is very positive," she said.

"The Cathedral Square development will have a big impact in reducing the number of claimants.

"It has definitely helped reduce the numbers already."

In Wychavon, there has been a considerable fall in the number of 18-to-24 year-olds claiming jobseekers allowance. During May there were 125 claimants, down 22 per cent compared to the same month last year.

The overall number of claimants has increased by three percent year-on-year, to 685, but Ms James believes that this number will decrease once a new Waitrose currently being built in Evesham is completed.

She said: "The new Waitrose development will be great for Evesham and will create 150 new jobs."

In the Malvern Hills, the number of claimants aged 18-to-24 category has remained the same year-on-year, with 115 receiving jobseekers allowance during May.

Overall there were 430 claimants in the district in May, a two per cent increase compared to the same month last year.

The overall unemployment rate in the West Midlands is now 5.9 per cent whilst nationally, figures show UK employment has reached a record high, although pay continues to fall behind inflation.

Almost 32 million people are now in work – 372,000 more than a year ago and the highest total since records began in 1971.

Unemployment fell by 50,000 in the quarter to April to 1.53 million, the lowest level for more than a decade.

The number of people classed as economically inactive fell by 30,000 to 8.8 million, a rate of 21.5 per cent, the joint lowest on record.

But the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also reported a fall in average earnings, which grew by 2.1 per cent in the year to April, down by 0.2 per cent on the previous month.