SWINDON is the centre for hi-tech industry in the south west.

The proportion of people employed in these professions is twice as high as the national average.

The town has a reputation for attracting highly skilled workers, with around 40 per cent of employees being classified as 'knowledge' workers.

And the workforce tends to be a young one with around half of it being under the age of 35.

Part-time employment is also rising with around 32,000 part-time jobs in Swindon in 2000.

Currently only two per cent of the town's population is unemployed lower than the national average of 2.6 per cent.

This figure was the same last year compared to a national unemployment rate of around three per cent.

The council compiled these statistics last year. More up-to date figures will be published shortly.