The number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in the Chippenham constituency has fallen by nearly a third in the past year - its biggest 12-month drop since records begin in 2007.

Those on the benefit reduced by 32 per cent from 1,179 in July 2013 to 798 in July 2014 – the lowest level since September 2008, according to the Office for National Statistics.

For young people aged 18 to 24 in the Chippenham constituency, the number claiming the benefit fell by 29 per cent from 225 to 160.

This compares with a 21 per cent decrease nationally for 16 to 24-year-olds, now down to 767,000.

MP Duncan Hames said: “It’s great to see more and more people in our part of Wiltshire finding work, particularly the young people who entered the jobs market at such a difficult time.

"Our economy is now growing strongly again, and I’m delighted that the benefits of the recovery are being seen locally.

“There is still lots more to do to embed the recovery and lots more people to help find work.

"My Liberal Democrat colleagues in Government and I are working hard to help businesses create even more jobs and build a stronger economy.”