DOUGHNUT giant Krispy Kreme is hiring in Bury.

The American company known for its fluffy doughnuts with a wide range of toppings is looking for more people to join its production and processing teams at its Heywood Distribution Park site.

The company, which started life in North Carolina, is working with Job Centre Plus to recruit and train people to its ranks.

Penny Applegate, the partnership manager for Job Centre Plus, said the company was among several in Bury are taking part in sector-based work academies to employ staff who have the right skills for the job.

Ms Applegate said: "We've had a lot of success with sector-based work academies in Bury.

"We have 160 people start work [last month] with employers.

"Sector-based work academies help the people who are employed who need that extra support to get into work.

"We are really, really pleased."

Job Centre Plus has also been working with Cranswick Continental Foods, based in Roach Bank Road which has around 300 jobs on offer.

Thumbs Up distribution company based off Dumers Lane and Cormar Carpet Co in Brookhouse Mill, Greenmount are both looking to recruit new staff.

The number of people unemployed in Bury has continued its month on month decline. At the end of August there were 2,795 people claiming out of work benefits in the borough, 545 of them were aged between 18 and 24.

This is down from 2,890 in July.

Ms Applegate was also pleased with the Universal Credit roll out in Bury, the service is now live, meaning everyone is able to have their online account to manage their benefit account.

Ms Applegate described the transition as "smooth" but said some people had had trouble as they were not aware that once they were set up online they had to go book an appointment with their local Job Centre Plus.

The decline in unemployment in Bury reflects the national picture. Across the UK there is a near record employment high of 75.5 per cent and the unemployment rate is the lowest since the 1970s at four per cent. Youth unemployment is at a record low, falling 45 per cent since 2010.

School and college leavers in Bury can take advantage of a jobs fair later this month, focused on apprenticeships, training and careers advice.

It will be held at the Elizabethan Suite in Bury Town Hall on September 26. For people aged 18-24 it will be open from 2pm to 3pm. From 3.30pm to 7pm the fair will be open to those still in school or who have just left.