THE number of people out of work and claiming unemployment benefit in Cumbria fell by 241 to 6,771 last month.

At the end of August the unemployment rate stood at 2.9 per cent of the workforce compared with 3.2 per cent last year, and 0.3 per cent below the national average.

In South Lakeland, the number of people out of work stood at 561, which was 65 fewer than this time last year.

In the Kendal travel to work area, 248 people were unemployed, 69 fewer than last year, and 0.8 per cent of the work force.

In Windermere, there were 51 jobless, which was 0.4 per cent of the workforce.