UNEMPLOYMENT figures for Bury have shown a sharp downturn.

The number of claimants in October totalled 2,121, down from the previous month's figure of 2,853.

The latest seasonally unadjusted count comprises 1,581 males and 540 females.

October's unemployment rate stands at 3.1 per cent, a fall from the previous month's figure of 3.5 per cent.

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