A bustling stream of job-seekers packed into The Argus Careers and Training Fair.

Hundreds came to join recruitment agencies or find their calling among dozens of stalls at the Corn Exchange in Brighton.

In its ninth consecutive year, the fair had 44 stands, topping the number at a fair in March.

South Downs Health NHS Trust, Sussex Careers Service, Office Angels, Lloyds TSB, Marks & Spencer, Hove College and Telegen were just a few of the companies represented.

The number of people looking for jobs was good news for businesses, many of whom often find it difficult to find the right candidates for jobs.

Nursing jobs were proving popular and Sussex Nuffield Hospital staff were constantly handing out application forms.

Out-patient sister Marion Heath said: "It was very, very quiet to start with. We thought we would be twiddling our thumbs but now we're giving out a lot of forms.

"Most of them are asking about salaries, which are currently being reviewed and they also want to know whether they need previous experience."

The Brighton and Hove Samaritans director Mary, who can only use her first name for professional purposes, said: "There has been a lot of interest in becoming listening volunteers and fund-raisers.

"We have been coming here for seven years and we will keep coming back. It's good to be here for recruitment and to make people aware of our services."

Maggie Taylor, of Hunters Recruitment, said: "We always come to the recruitment fair because its run so well."

Reliance Security's Tara Parme-Pullen said:

"We do security for blue chip and retail companies.

We have been busy but the people coming up are predominantly male."

Sophie Embury, 18, former Sussex Downs College student, wanted something to do in her gap year before she goes to university in London.

She said: "I already knew what I was looking for. I went to two stalls with consumer service jobs and I'm filling out the forms now."

Lisa Standing, recruitment manager at The Argus, said:

"It's going very well so far. We did another fair in March and seems to be even busier."