UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen in Bury by 1.5 per cent compared to the previous month.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show the number of claimants in Bury in July was 2,890 compared to 2,935 in June.

This follows a broader long-term trend of increasing employment in the borough and the country since 2010.

Jenny Stanton, partnership manager for the DWP for Bury, was pleased with the figures saying "it's going the right way". She added the new multi-million pound Park 66 development was bringing employment to the town.

She said a number of the businesses looking to move into the park, due to open in spring, were bringing "major recruitment opportunities" to the area.

Home Bargains, The Food Warehouse, Costa Coffee and KFC have all signed up for the business park.

The 18-24 age group shows the same trend with claimants dropping from 585 to 575. This is down six per cent since 2010.

This is the third week that Universal Credit full service has been live in Bury and according to Ms Stanton it has been going "smoothly".

Job Centre Plus staff in Bury and Prestwich have been working closely with the council and other partners like social landlords and disabilities services.

Ms Stanton said: "It's a whole raft of partners, most of those that are working with customers face to face. Delivering an overall awareness and how they can support those claimants.

"All the staff at Bury and Prestwich have been trained to support customers through the process and we do encourage everyone who does need help to talk to a work coach.

"We have a team to assist people helping with that online claim.

"Overall claimants do find it easier and simpler to understand and they get that one to one support."