THE south west is a region with one of the weakest job prospects in the country, according to the latest survey into employment prospects.

The Manpower Quarterly Survey of Employment Prospects, the UK's longest running survey of employment trends, asked companies across the region whether they expect an increase, decrease or no change in their staffing levels for the quarter.

A net balance of job gains was calculated by subtracting those employers planning to decrease staffing levels from the number of employers planning to take on workers.

Only a net balance of nine per cent of firms in the south west said they would be taking on staff in the period of April to June the lowest quarterly figure for the region since 1993.

The survey, now in its 37th year of publication, asked 2,000 UK companies across 11 regions and 21 industry sectors their staffing plans.

Mike Banyard, Manpower's regional manager for the south west, said: "Employment prospects have weakened considerably in some areas in the south west, but there are still jobs being created here.

"The uncertain economic climate means some businesses are having to tighten their belts. There is no doubt that 2003 will be a challenging year, but we are hopeful that demand for temporary and permanent staff in the second quarter will be steady."

Manufacturing, textiles, automotive electronics and chemical are among the industries worst hit.

The north west is now the best region for jobs with a net balance of 18 per cent of employers set to recruit staff this quarter.