TELEPHONE lines to Warrington Job Centre have been buzzing due to a pioneering scheme which has helped to provide fresh starts for 300 unemployed people.

An average of 10 jobless people each week have been finding new careers through the Employment Service Direct initiative - in effect a dial-a-job initiative.

Designed especially for people who might find it difficult to reach the Mersey Street job centre, the scheme relies on an up-to-the minute database of full and part time vacancies. People call the freephone number - 0845 606234 - and their needs and requirements are matched up with potential openings by a team of advisers, who can arrange interviews and forward application forms.

Team leader Chris Gerrard said: "It is for people who are unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week, it could be a woman returning to work, a semi-retired person or anyone who falls into those criteria.

"It is also ideal for people under formal notice of redundancy because they can call the service from where they work."

Plans are also in place for a direct 'phone line in the job centre itself which visitors can use if there is a queue.

"The service is also useful for people who live in outlying areas who might find it difficult to visit the town centre," said Chris.

Intended as a trial scheme from January to April, bosses extended it until September because of success rates.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.