THIS year's historic Census is just weeks away - and dozens of part-time jobs are being created in South Lakeland to ensure it runs smoothly.

More than 170 enumerators are needed to deliver Census forms to every household in South Lakeland and, if necessary, to explain how to complete the forms.

Around 57 hours of work is involved, between March 20 and May 21, and enumerators will be paid £318.

The fifteen team leaders required will be paid £1,100 for a longer period of work.

The work might be suitable for active retired people, unemployed people or people in work who wish to earn some extra money.

Application forms are available from job centres, or by telephoning the helpline on 0845-3062001 (local rate).

Census area manager John Watson explained: "It's a massive operation which happens only once every ten years and we're looking to employ reliable people in the South Lakes district who can help us better the 98 per cent coverage we managed nationwide in the last Census."

People are legally required to fill in the Census form, which is expected to take around 30 minutes, and includes a question about religion this year for the first time since 1851.

If forms are not returned by post, enumerators will visit households to see what the problem is.

A total of 70,000 part-time jobs are being created in England and Wales to run the Census.

More than 30 million forms are being printed, and Census-takers will be delivered to more than 24 million households.

The Census has been taken every decade for the last 200 years, and the results help to influence public spending in areas such as new schools, roads and hospitals.

Data remains anonymous for 100 years.