FORMER Remploy worker Graeme Watson has been inundated with job offers after sharing his heartrending plight last week.

The disabled 46-year-old was a dedicated and loyal worker who barely missed a day’s work in the 27 years of employment at Spennymoor's Remploy factory.

He was one of hundreds of disabled people made redundant when the company’s factories closed across the country as the Government moved away from subsidised work in favour of supporting individuals into mainstream employment.

Since losing his job in 2012, Mr Watson applied for hundreds of jobs only to be ignored, rejected or forced to sit unsuitable tests in English and maths.

In a letter to The Northern Echo, his family begged for help after watching their son become increasingly isolated and frustrated with his fruitless job hunt.

Since his story was published, several kind-hearted employers from across the region have stepped forward in a bid to help the former fork lift truck driver from Peterlee.

So far the man who suffered constant rejection has received six job offers along with the chance to embark on a variety of new careers.

He had his first job interview since sharing his story on Friday, February 13 when the NIFCO factory in Stockton, which manufactures car parts, invited him to look around.

He will find out this week if he has been successful but the day itself proved a massive boost to Mr Watson’s happiness, his parents say.

Audrey and Ernie Watson, both 72, say the entire family is "over the moon" with the response to Graeme’s story.

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They say Mr Watson feels as though all of his birthdays have come at once and that they’ve noticed a marked improvement in his mood already.

Mrs Watson said: “We are absolutely over the moon and overwhelmed by the response we’ve had and the support everyone’s shown.

“We are so grateful to everybody for their help and want to thank them for being so wonderful.

“We’ve had nothing but support and it’s like all Graeme’s birthdays have come at once – he’s been so excited and it’s made a real difference, he’s much happier.

“Graeme’s story seems to have touched a lot of people and we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the reaction, it’s brilliant.”

Frances Hoy, the personnel manager at NIFCO, said Graeme’s work ethic inspired them to step forward.

She said: “Graeme worked for 27 years and we want people with that kind of attitude.

“He is obviously someone who wants to work and takes his work to heart – that’s an attitude that should be recognised and the sort of person we want to help.”

Brian Capeling, operations manager at Sabre Rail, is also in talks with the family about potential opportunities at the factory.

He said: “I have the same views as Graeme does about the government and Remploy – I think it was wrong to close the factories.

“That’s one reason I wanted to help but it’s also the nice thing to do, people need a chance in life and as a company we try to offer chances.

“A lot of people have a difficult paper round these days and there’s an expectation that if you don’t have a job, you become a social outcast.

“We want to help people find the self-esteem associated with being in employment.”

Mr Watson was also offered opportunities with Cummins, Durham Police, a sweet business and at Oldfields Restaurant in Durham.

Oldfields’ director Peter Wood said: “I know the Remploy situation and I’m from the same area as Graeme – I think we can help him.

“The Remploy workers were dealt a bad hand and that situation was not necessary.”