JOBSEEKERS in the town have been boosted by new figures showing a 12 per cent reduction in unemployment from this time last year.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed 2,714 residents are currently registered as unemployed and Job Centre Plus chiefs are predicting the figure to continue dropping.

Operations manager Alan Baines, who has been in the role for 10 years, confirmed firms are now 'struggling' to fill positions because of the added competition.

He added: "This is fantastic news for Warrington and matches the figures across the north west – 75,000 more people are now in work.

"I am pleased with what is taking place in Cheshire and Warrington.

"The Government made a statement about the Northern Powerhouse saying it was looking to invest more in the north west – there is a great deal of optimism in Warrington."

One of the key factors for the impressive figures has been put down to the new approach being carried out through social media platforms.

Job centres across the country have been using #jobsmart on Twitter to provide crucial advice and tips to those searching for job opportunities.

"I want to encourage people to follow it on Twitter," added Mr Baines.

"It is extraordinary now how people are searching for jobs.

"Social media is one of the first places employers will look and it is crucial that jobseekers think about their profile and information provided, which is being put out there.

"It is important to make it look attractive."

The findings also proved to be positive on the national scale, with 31.21 million people now in work – 419,000 more than was the case a year earlier.

The percentage of people without a job across the country fell to 5.3 per cent in the three months to September, from 5.6 per cent in the previous quarter and six per cent for the same time 12 months prior.

Chancellor George Osborne labelled the figures as 'excellent' and said the Government was 'moving towards' its employment vision.