LATEST jobless figures for the Bury area have shown a sharp fall.

December showed the total number out of work was 2,314 - 72 down on November. The latest figure comprises 1,782 males and 532 females.

The unemployment rate for the Bolton and Bury travel to work area is down from four per cent to 3.9 - Greater Manchester remains at 5.1. The North West unemployment rate has also slipped, from 4.6 per cent to 4.5.

In December, Bury JobCentre had 499 unfilled vacancies while the figures for Prestwich and Radcliffe were 143 and 188 respectively.

The JobCentre placed 261 people into work, Prestwich 105 and Radcliffe 94.

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