The number of people in Sussex out of work and claiming benefit is continuing to fall.

In Brighton and Hove, the figure was down by 417 in August to 4,994 or 3.7 per cent, well above the 1.7 per cent average for the South-East.

The East Sussex rate was 2.4 per cent and in West Sussex it was 1.2 per cent.

Sophie Westwood, business manager at the Brighton office of Manpower, said: "Job prospects are looking extremely healthy. Brighton and Hove's job market has recently seen a significant upturn.

"There is a growth in business activity and we have seen a steady increase in the number of staff across all sectors.

"In the last three months, temporary business has doubled and we feel confident that this trend will continue.

"The permanent market is also buoyant. We are seeing more new businesses develop in the area, taking advantage of the quality lifestyle Brighton and Hove offers.

"These new businesses all need workers, which can only be good news for the community."

Gatwick Airport, a major employer in the county, said it had managed to rebuild some of the business it lost following the terrorist attacks in the United States and was optimistic about returning to levels not seen for more than a year.

Sussex Enterprise spokesman Stephen Gage said: "We feel confident unemployment in Sussex will continue to fall. New jobs are being created and the Government is funding training to provide people with the necessary skills.

"Manufacturing has had the toughest ride but there is now evidence of an improvement.

"The rural economy, which suffered badly during the foot-and-mouth outbreak and due to the fall in tourism, is also looking better."

Gatwick-based recruitment specialist Alexander Lloyd said job vacanies were down in August - but above the figures registered a year ago.

Operations director Neil Quarendon said there had been a 33 per cent monthly fall but a 61 per cent rise over the year.

He said: "Even without the effect of the peak holiday month on the number of jobs registered and candidates available, August is still well up on this time last year for new job vacancies and the overall number of vacancies is still quite high."