More than 5,000 hopefuls headed to a shopping centre for its annual jobs fair.

Adverts for over 2,000 permanent position and temporary prompted the record attendance at Bluewater, which has held the event for four years.

More than 80 retailers and restaurants were hiring, including newcomers Hackett, Next, Five Guys and Showcase Cinemas, as well as regulars John Lewis, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer.

Figures last week showed 758 in Dartford were on unemployment benefits in August, down 40, while Gravesham was up 36 to 1,261.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said: “This year’s Jobs Fair was a credit to all involved in particular the hard work the Learning Shop and Bluewater do for the people of Dartford and the wider community in helping them find employment and training.”

Bluewater’s general manager Robert Goodman added: “The 2015 Jobs Fair was certainly a true success, having gone from strength to strength each year.

“This year we saw the highest retailer engagement and support from many leading UK and international brands for a variety of new management roles and permanent positions compared to previous years.”