HUNDREDS of jobseekers looked for a foot on to the employment ladder yesterday at the Oxford Mail Job Fair.

The Abingdon event enabled jobseekers in the area to meet 14 potential employers and pick up advice.

Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show 7,780 people in Oxfordshire claimed unemployment benefit in May.

It was a fall of 969 on the previous month and 1,857 fewer than the same time last year.

Hundreds found the job fair at Abingdon’s Guildhall a good chance to find work or get information on a potential career change.

Greg Large, 18, of Southmoor, said: “I have just left Witney College. I was doing music tech but decided it was not for me. I am now looking for a job because I have a bit of debt built up.

“It has not been particularly easy. I find that because my previous jobs have all been in catering it is hard to get something new.”

Among the employers on hand were the Army, Reed Recruitment and wedding information site Guides for Brides.

Job fair co-ordinator Belinda Rand said the event was not just for the unemployed, but also for those looking for new qualifications and skills. She said: “People of all age ranges and all walks of life came. It was a complete mixture of people looking for jobs, and has been a really successful day.

“I think it is fair to say people are finding it difficult to find jobs, but there are jobs out there.”

Mike Swann, 21, from Southmoor, said: “I moved to Abingdon when I was 18 and have been working in pubs, that sort of thing.

“So I thought I would come here and have a look. I don’t want to be doing the same thing for the rest of my life.”

Paul Cooper, Army careers adviser for Oxfordshire, said the fairs were a good platform for recruitment.

Oxford Mail job fairs have also been held in Oxford and Banbury this year.