Unemployment in North Yorkshire has fallen for the tenth consecutive month as dole queues across the county continue to get smaller.

And the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in York has dropped for the eighth consecutive month to show 877 fewer claimants than in October 2013

According to the Office of National Statistics the number of people claiming the benefit in October stood at 1,318 compared to 2,195 at the same time last year, and 57 fewer since September.

Across North Yorkshire the figure still stretches into the thousands with 3,840 people claiming the out of work benefit, however, this has dropped by 116 since September.

In Ryedale, unemployment figures dropped to 276 - the lowest since May 2008 when the number stood at 281.

The number of claimants also dropped to a new low in Selby.

Those receiving JSA in October stood at 746, 51 fewer than September and 334 fewer than this time last year.

Cllr James Alexander, leader of City of York Council, said: "The figures show York to be performing above both the national and regional averages when it comes to the numbers of residents accessing Jobseekers Allowance and other benefits.

"While this is clearly due to a number of factors, these figures support the partnership working across the city and council investment to help secure further and future jobs and business growth.

"We do need to keep in mind, however, that York’s unemployment figures continue to mask the issue of in-work poverty which is exacerbated by cost of living increases in housing, energy and childcare."