Small decrease in jobless figures

The number of people out of work in Cornwall remains more than double the figure for last year, despite a slight fall for May.

According to the Office of National Statistics, the number claiming benefit last month was almost 9,000.

That is about 2.8% of the working age population, which is considerably lower than the 7.2% overall UK rate.

An increase in traditional seasonal work is believed to be responsible for last month's fall from 9,425.

The recession has been blamed by a number of manufacturers in the county who have recently announced job cuts.

These include the loss of 260 posts at Fitzgerald Lighting in Bodmin.