THE number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance in Winchester dropped by 59 to 1,205 in December - the lowest unemployment figure since last July.

Much of the 4.9 per cent fall was in the city and adjacent areas of Littleton, Harestock, Oliver's Battery and Badger Farm, which between them made up 45 of the 59 decline.

Alresford (from 60 to 50), Colden Common and Twyford (63 to 52) also saw improvements.

Martin Tod, Liberal Democrat PPC, said: "We still have more than twice the level of unemployment we had before the recession started, but this is definitely a move in the right direction.

"The unemployment figures for Winchester don't normally fall this much in December, which makes it all the more encouraging."