The number of people on the dole in Kent and Medway has fallen again, providing further evidence the economy in the region is slowly strengthening.

The number of people claiming jobseekers' allowance in Kent in December stood at 21,923 compared to 22,058 the previous month - a fall of 135.

The year-on-year figure shows that over the last 12 months, the Kent figure fell by about 5,000.

But the monthly figures show a mixed picture across the county, with some areas seeing slight increases in the claimant count.

In Medway, the number of people claiming jobseekers allowance stood at 5,204 in December compared to 5,367 in the previous month, a three-figure fall of 163.

Many parts of Kent recorded decreases for the 10th successive month but some of the falls were modest.

In Thanet, seen as the county's economic blackspot, the number of people on jobseekers' allowance in December was 4,177 compared 4,181 in November, just four fewer.

In Dover, the figure was 2,100 compared to 2,056 - representing an increase of 44.

Ashford saw the figure fall by 25 from 1,519 in November to 1,494 in December.

Shepway recorded a small increase, with 2,127 claimants for jobseekers' allowance compared to 2,118 in November.

In Maidstone, the figure was 1,768 compared to 1,828 in November while in Tunbridge Wells, the figure rose to 676 from 663.

Canterbury saw its claimant count fall to 1,776 compared to 1,793 - a decrease of 17.

In north Kent, Dartford's claimant count was 1,310 compared to 1,351 in November while in Gravesham, there was a small increase from 1,894 in November to 1,902.

In Tonbridge and Malling, there were 1,037 claimants compared to 1,083 the previous month - a drop of 46.

In Sevenoaks, there were 846 claimants compared to 879 the previous month.

Overall, there were about twice as many men claiming jobseekers' allowance in Kent and Medway - 14,202 compared to 7,737 women.

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