More young people are needed to train for jobs in the construction industry in Sussex.

Traditional trades such as roofing, bricklaying and plastering are not attracting enough people to replace those retiring or leaving the industry.

Growth in the industry is forecast to provide thousands of job opportunities in the South-East in the next five years.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) said more than 77,000 new recruits would be needed, amounting to more than 15,000 per year.

The national figure is 370,000 new recruits at all levels, from graduates to skilled crafts people.

CITB Sussex spokesman John Course said: "The construction industry is a really good career choice for graduates and school leavers offering long-term employment prospects and great career advancement opportunities.

Our research confirms the trend for expansion will continue until 2007.

"We are working with careers advisors, schools and colleges to educate school leavers and graduates about the training and career opportunities in the industry."

Research showed few school leavers were interested in a manual trade, with painting and decorating at greatest risk from a lack of new recruits. information technology skills were seen as more attractive.