CHRISTMAS could come early this year for jobseekers in the Kendal area.

In the run-up to the festive season, the employment service has got together with retailers and hoteliers to offer up a sackful of seasonal vacancies at a Christmas 2000 jobsfair on Thursday, October 5.

More than 50 part and full-time positions will be up for grabs in places such as Marks and Spencer, Next, Argos, Castle Green Hotel and Asda.

Jobcentre Business Manager Lili Hurst said: "Unemployment in the Kendal area is at its lowest ever at 1.4 per cent.

The idea of the fair is to interest people who would perhaps not normally be seeking work, for example mums with a family at home or students who want to work over the Christmas period.

Employers benefit from meeting potential employees face to face and those looking for work will be able to have an informal chat and ask questions they may not normally ask in a formal interview.

At the fair, employers are keen to meet anyone who is looking for work, irrespective of age.

For lone parents considering returning to work or those with queries about working benefits for single parent families, an advisor will be on hand.

If the Christmas jobsfair is a success, it could be the first of many as the employment service would like to make them a regular feature.

The fair will be held at the Beezon Road Jobcentre, in Kendal, from 11am to 3pm.