One in four people signing on in Brighton and Hove is aged between 18 and 24, a new report has revealed.

The number of unemployed youngsters in the city has reached a 12 year high - leaping 53% in the last year alone.

Last month there were 1,880 18 to 24 year olds claiming jobseekers’ allowance in Brighton and Hove - up from 1230 in July last year.

Young people's charity The Prince's Trust has warned school leavers could be the hardest hit since the crash of 1929.

A report by the trust found that one in five pupils collecting their GCSEs next week could be on the dole by the time they are 21.

Around 2,300 students will leave Brighton and Hove schools this summer and face little hope of landing a job.

Simon Fulford, the South East regional director of the trust, said: "It is more important than ever that we support those with fewest qualifications before they become a lost generation."

Graduates from the University of Brighton fear their extra qualifications have not given them much of an advantage in the jobs market and that they will also be in the dole queue and struggling to pay back student loans of up to £20,000.

Louisa Davey, 22, from Surrey, was forced to sign on after failing to find a job through agencies or websites.

She said: “The saddest thing is I'm on the dole and being turned down for jobs I would have got before I went to university.

“I'm going travelling around the world and hope things have picked up by the time I get back.”

Jack McLoughlin, from Essex, wanted to get into video production but has been turned down for every job he has gone for.

He said: “It is depressing to sign on but I have to.

“I can't even get bar work things are so tough.

“I'm contemplating printing 100 CVs, going to London and handing them out.

“I'm desperate.”

Abby Purdy, 23, has moved back in with her parents in Devon and plans to continue studying because she can not find a job.

She said: “I'm cutting my losses and going back to university.

“Hopefully when we come out of the recession it will be easier.”

Hannah Brown, from Essex, said she has been turned down for scores of marketing and PR jobs.

She said: “I got one interview out of more than 100 jobs I applied for and didn't get that.”