UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen again in York as employers ignore the summer sun and start recruiting for Christmas - including one position for an elf.

Jobcentre bosses say the festive season has arrived early in the city, with ‘jobs, jobs, jobs galore’ at employers ranging from M & S, John Lewis and Toys R Us to Argos and TK Maxx.

Natalie Liddell, deputy employer and partnership manager for Selby, Ryedale and York, says Royal Mail will shortly start its Christmas recruitment and there are also lots of jobs at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, including one for an Elf for a Santa’s grotto.

She said candidates needed customer service experience and a ‘friendly character and constant smile, adding: “Elves are responsible for greeting families upon arrival, preparing children to meet Santa, helping Santa throughout his visit and the sale of tickets and photography merchandise.”

She said the number of benefit claimants in the City of York Council area had fallen to 890 in July, down by 95 on the same month last yer, while the number of York claimants aged 18-24 had fallen by 30 to 185.

In Ryedale, the number of benefit claimants fell by 15 to 230 in July, while the number of 18-24 year olds was static at 60.

In the Selby district, the number fell by 40 to 685, while the number of claimants aged 18-24 rose by ten to 175.

Ms Liddell said there was an increased demand for staff in the York hospitality sector, with vacancies at Costa Coffee, J D Wetherspoons, Pizza Hut, McDonalds & Frankie & Benny’s, and the ‘first fully interactive hospitality event’ would take place at The Royal York Hotel between 1pm and 6pm on September 25, to coincide with York Food & Drink Festival.

People could see demonstrations from typical hospitality roles and have the opportunity to talk to staff currently working in the sector, find out how to professionally make a bed, make cocktails with a flair, be a masseur, spa therapist or gym instructor/personal trainer, and what it takes to work on a busy reception desk.

Employment Minister Damian Hinds said that nationwide, with 31.7 million people now in work and at 5.8 per cent, the proportion of 16-24 year olds who had left full-time education and were unemployed, was close to the lowest on record.“These record-breaking figures show that there are more people in work than ever before.”