THE jobs market in York is 'incredibly buoyant' and unemployment is continuing to fall, according to the latest statistics.

The figures, released yesterday, show last month there were 855 people claiming unemployment benefits in the City of York Council area - a fall of 165, or 16 per cent, on May 2015.

The reduction was 27 per cent among people aged 18 to 24, and compared to 2010 the drop was 83 per cent in that age range. "The fall in youth unemployment is massive," said Sara Farrar, recruitment and partnership manager at Ryedale, Selby and York Jobcentres.

In Ryedale, the claimant figure was static, at 250, while in Selby it was 725, down 55 on last May.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was five per cent, the lowest in a decade, and in Yorkshire and the Humber the number of people in work was a record high of 2.52 million, with a rise of 32,000 in the past year.

Ms Farrar said she was confident that those people who were out of work or who were faced with redundancy would find work quickly, and she has already given presentations at both of York's BHS stores, jointly with National Careers Service, to directly advise affected staff on their options.

She said: "The retail sector as a whole has over 100,000 vacancies at the moment and I took a long list of retail vacancies to the stores to support staff in finding alternative employment quickly, as well as advising them of other vacancies should they wish to consider a career change, utilising their transferable skills."

A careers fair last night at The McArthur Glen Designer Outlet had also been promoted to BHS staff.

Jobcentre Plus was ready to help workers with CV writing, interview skills and training through its Rapid Response Service, and the National Careers Service had already supported some of the city-centre BHS staff.

Ms Farrar said: "Whilst being made redundant is always a stressful and worrying time, I am confident that with the help and support of Jobcentre plus and its partners, and because the labour market is so buoyant in York, that these employees will quickly find alternate employment."

Earlier this week the Jobcentre hosted a Hospitality Job Shop in its Monkgate premises, attended by a number of national and international employers in this sector, while the centre's jobs board had many local jobs in hospitality.

To support National Armed Forces Week, the Jobcentres in York and Selby will host each of the services, who will be giving group information sessions and promoting opportunities across a range of roles for both full-time and reservists.

Anyone currently claiming benefits and thinking about starting a business with the New Enterprise Allowance can get realistic guidance at a 'webinar', an online meeting, on Wednesday, June 22, from noon to 1pm. To register go to attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6196905082646238212