UNEMPLOYMENT in Bromsgrove has risen in the last year, the latest Jobcentre figures have shown.

In contrast to the national trend, which ranks unemployment at the lowest rate since 1975, the number of jobseekers in Bromsgrove has risen to 660 - 45 more than this time last year.

Figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) on Wednesday show that 160 of these are aged between 18 and 24 - up by five compared to 12 months ago.

The number of Bromsgrove jobseekers is still 669 lower than in 2012, and female employment in the West Midlands is at a record high - up by 30,000 in the last quarter.

More than 200 people from across the district attended a jobs fair at Bromsgrove Library last month, which was also visited by 16 employers.

A spokesman for the DWP said it was now working to promote and fill seasonal retail vacancies for small and large employers in Bromsgrove.