YOUTH unemployment in Worcester has fallen by more than a third since 1997, figures reveal.

Statistics compiled by researchers in the House of Commons Library show the number of under-24s without a job has plummeted from 500 in September 1997 to 295 in September 2004.

It also reveals the highest rates of youth unemployment in the city are St John's, Warndon and the city centre - each of which had 35 unemployed youngsters last month.

The lowest youth unemployment rates are in Warndon Parish North and Warndon Parish South, each with just five.

Total unemployment across Worcestershire has also fallen in the period.

In Worcester, the number of people claiming Jobseekers' Allowance has fallen by 41.9 per cent, from 1,777 to 1,032.

The fall in Mid-Worcestershire has been 43 per cent, from 1,125 to 641. In West Worcestershire, it has been 57.8 per cent, from 1,063 to 449, and in Leominster it's 50.4 per cent, from 1,166 to 578.

In Wyre Forest there has been a 48.8 per cent fall in unemployment benefit claimants, from 1,771 in 1997 to 907 last month; in Bromsgrove a 46.6 per cent fall, from 1,512 to 807; and in Redditch a 45.4 per cent drop, from 1,938 to 1,058.

Worcester MP Mike Foster said the research was proof of Labour's successful policies to tackle unemployment since it came to Government.

"These figures show just what a transformation has taken place over the last seven years - gone are the days where young people remain out of work, with no hope, no prospects, no ambition.

"Gone are the days when youth unemployment blighted our society.

"Gone are the days where Government did nothing to help young people."

"Youth unemployment does not fall by accident. It is the result of Government action - using the New Deal as a platform for personal advice to help young people find appropriate work - not just any old training scheme."

"With record numbers of Modern Apprenticeships being studied, it is clear that young people are seizing the job opportunities to really make a difference to their futures."