ETHNIC employment opportunities will be highlighted at a Careers Mela being held at Ewood Park on Wednesday.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph and Asian Eye are co-hosting the event which will provide a unique shop window of employment opportunities open to the ethnic community.

The 1991 census showed that 16 per cent of the local population was from an ethnic minority and that figure has now risen to 31 per cent.

However this increase has not been reflected in the jobs market, despite the Government issuing targets to encourage large employers to be more representative of the communities in which they are based.

Gainful employment is seen as crucial to providing hope for the young people of the area, giving them real opportunities for personal development.

The employment Mela will provide a platform for local employers to target potential employees. It will be aimed at 16 to 25-year-olds and, importantly, their parents.

Training providers, educational establishments, the local authority, the uniformed services and some of the area's leading employers will be represented at the Mela.

Organisers say it represents a fantastic opportunity for young people to see what exciting opportunities are available in the area.

A number of larger employers will be staging recruitment fairs.

The Mela is being held in the Premier Suite between 10.30am and 6pm.