A GROUP to help people find work in Darlington has been launched. Volunteer organisation eVOLution has started its Work Club to help job seekers with a range of advice and support.

It hopes it will reduce the unemployment rate in the town - which is worse than the national average, although favours comparably across the North-East.

The Work Club will give people in the town the chance to meet others looking for work, build new contacts and share job-hunting experiences.

It will also provide interview techniques, help with writing CVs and will also offer volunteering opportunities for those out of work.

A spokesman for eVOLution said: "Research shows that the best way to find another job is through friends, family or social networks, which is why it is so vital to have a Work Club in this area.

"Staff and volunteers will listen to the needs of the Work Club members and assistance is given to enable them to achieve their employment goals. Clients can attend the Work Club for as long as it takes to secure employment.

"During every session, we will help people to look for work by swapping ideas and talking to guest speakers including people from local businesses, about opportunities in the area."

The latest figures supplied by the Office for National Statistics showed that 4,500 people in Darlington were unemployed in July last year. It equated to 9.2 per cent of the population - behind the 7.7 per cent national average, but ahead of the 9.9 per cent figure for the North-East.

Comparatively, more men were out of work - 11.5 per cent compared with 6.1 per cent of women.

The number of people unemployed in the town has remained almost constant for the past three years.

The number of people claiming Jobseekers' Allowance peaked in the town in February last year. It dropped later in the year, but increased in line with national figures in December.

The Work Club will meet every Monday from 2pm to 4pm, in the IT Suite at eVOLution, in Church Row.

For more information, to attend or to find out how you could get involved, contact Lynn Walton, at eVOLution, on 01325-266888 or email lynn.blewitt@evolutiondarlington.com