DOLE queues in Tendring have got longer for the fifth month in a row.

Figures released this week show there were 3,499 people out of work and claiming benefits last month, up from 3,434 in December.

The Office for National Statistics’ figures show more than 4.5 per cent of Tendring’s working-age population is now on benefits – compared to a national average of 3.8 per cent.

But there were 436 more people in employment last month compared with January 2012 and that there are 501 vacancies at Tendring’s Jobcentres.

The figures also show 11.1 per cent of young people aged 18 to 24 are now claiming benefits.

In Colchester, just 3,175 people, 2.8 per cent, are out of work.