Unemployment in Macclesfield is at its lowest for 10 years - bucking the national trend.

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 521 people claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in June.

During the same period last year unemployment was at 956.

This is a significant fall from the height of the recession in 2009 when unemployment was at 1,700.

There is also more good news for the next generation of workers.

The number of young people, which includes those aged 18-24, claiming support has plummeted to 55.

At the same time last year 200 young people were claiming JSA.

The national UK unemployment total rose for the first time in two years by 7,000 to 804,200.

Andy Simpson, manager of Jobcentre Plus in Macclesfield, said Macclesfield was bucking the trend.

He said: “This is very good news for the town and I expect figures to drop further still next month.

“Particularly encouraging is the fall in youth unemployment.”

Mr Simpson credits the fall to the efforts of his staff and practices to help people get back to work.

He said: “While we are helped by the general economy we have been working hard trying to get people jobs, training or work experience.

“Everyone looking for work is assigned a work coach to help them understand their values and overcome the things that prevent them finding work.

“We have brought businesses to the job centre and offer our facilities to employers to use.

“We have supported people’s business ideas and encouraged them to consider self-employment as an option.”

The figures have been welcomed by Macclesfield MP David Rutley who said: “It’s great to see unemployment falling in Macclesfield so that it is 40 percent lower than in 2010. I am grateful for the hard work of local businesses and their employees that made this possible. The fall in youth unemployment is particularly good to hear about.”

The ONS also showed that pace of pay rises continued to pick up.

Average weekly earnings including bonuses rose at an annual pace of 3.2 percent in the latest three-month period, the fastest rate in five years.

Pay excluding bonuses rose by 2.8 percent, the fastested rate since 2009.