A GROWTH in retail and customer service jobs has been linked to the first fall in unemployment in Worcestershire so far this year.

According to the latest official figures, six per cent fewer people are out of work in the county than last month - a trend reflected across the United Kingdom.

During previous months, however, the number of people claiming benefit has risen steadily from 5,774 in January to 5,819 in February and 5,863 in March.

The latest figures record the number of jobless people in Worcester at 1,126 - 95 fewer than last month.

Business manager for the city's Jobcentre Plus in Sansome Street, Jo Efstathiades, said unemployment was subject to peaks and troughs.

But she said more and more people were seeking jobs in retail and customer service as manufacturing and engineering positions became few and far between.

"It's the growth area for Worcester and at the moment, these kind of jobs are coming in fast and furious," she said.

"There are also a lot of office-based vacancies.

"Some people made unemployed from manufacturing and engineering are having to learn new skills and training which we will help them with."

Herefordshire, which already saw a drop in numbers in March, continues to address unemployment with numbers falling from 1,804 to 1,739.

Malvern also recorded a drop to 450 - down 39 - while Wychavon's figures are down from 836 to 795.