THREE new foot-and-mouth JobCentres have been launched in the region to help workers affected by the crisis find new jobs.

To supplement the Ministry of Agriculture's helpline, the West Midlands Employment Service and Benefits Agency has introduced a one-stop-shop for people with queries about jobs, re-training and benefits.

The new units, at JobCentres in Haswell House, Sansome Street, Worcester, Churchfields in Bromsgrove, and in George Place, Ross-on-Wye, will provide a face-to-face and telephone enquiry service.

"These units aim to support local communities, companies and individuals affected by the outbreak by acting as a gateway to advise other organisations, for instance, giving help to small businesses," a spokesman for the service said today.

The Worcester service, which has internet access, will be open Mondays to Thursdays from 9am to 4.30pm, on Fridays from 9.30am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.