Unemployment among the under 25s remained the same for December as it did for November according to figures produced this week.

Julia Nix, district manager for JobCentre Plus East Anglia, said there was no real indication why the figure of 18 to 24 year-olds claiming JobSeekers Allowance in Fenland remained unchanged at 185 for two months running.

This is especially true as there is normally more seasonal work available in the run up to Christmas.

But Mrs Nix remained positive because there are ‘lots of vacancies’ available i - it is just a question of matching the right skills.

She also pointed out that year on year the number of young people out of work had dropped by just under 16 per cent, which she said was “really pleasing.”

Fewer men are in employment in Fenland compared to women - with 73.5 per cent of men in work compared to 82.3 per cent of women.

On the whole 78 per cent of people in Fenland are in employment compared to the national average of 73.4 per cent.