Unemployment in Hove has fallen by almost 50 per cent in five years, latest figures show.

The number of people looking for work while claiming benefits has fallen from 3,418 in May 1997, to 1,731 last month.

The figures, produced by the House of Commons Library, were revealed by Hove MP Ivor Caplin.

He said: "A halving of local unemployment levels under Labour is good news and proof that sound management of the economy and strong policies to get people back to work really are making an impact.

"We are not complacent and Labour is determined to get everyone able to work into employment."