EMPLOYMENT is on the up in mid Cheshire thanks to retailer growth and stronger links between employers and job seekers.

According to the latest labour market figures, the best picture in the area is the Weaver Vale constituency, which has seen unemployment drop by 13 per cent to 1,006 people since last year and by 51 per cent since 2010.

In Tatton, which includes parts of Northwich, there are 442 people out of work, which is up seven per cent on last year but down 60 per cent since 2010.

Eddisbury, which includes Winsford and Northwich, has seen its unemployment figures rise one per cent from last year to 578, but this is also down 60 per cent since 2010.

The Congleton constituency, which includes Middlewich, has seen unemployment rise two per cent to 568 since last year but it has dropped by 54 per cent since 2010.

Debbie Washington, from Jobcentre Plus, said there were a number of factors that had led to the unemployment drop in Weaver Vale.

These include a recruitment drive by Morrisons and Waitrose in preparation for Christmas, a drive by Aldi as it gets ready to build a bigger store in Northwich and vacancies at Brio, which runs Northwich Memorial Court.

She said Jobcentre Plus was also working with employers to make sure they could find perfect people for posts, and referred to McDonald's as her example.

"McDonald's has full and part time vacancies," she said.

"Jobcentre Plus is working closely with McDonald's on a sector based work academy.

"This is about pre-employment training with a guaranteed job interview for anyone that completes the training."

She added: "It's a good picture in Weaver Vale with more people in work than ever before and strong growth in wages."

Jobcentre Plus is also planning a Jobathon for November, which will see employers coming into the Job Centre to meet claimants.

Any employers interested in taking part should contact their local Job Centre.

Jobcentre Plus has also launched the Twitter account @JCPinCheshire, which advertises vacancies and opportunities in the area.