The number of people in Preston and its surrounding areas claiming benefits is dropping according to latest statistics.

The Office for National Statistics have released data that shows that on the whole the number of claimants is dropping, despite the jobless total being at a 15-year-high.

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In Preston there are currently 3,008 people on benefits; 7,8% of males and 2.8% of females. This amounts to 5.5% of the Preston population, but this figure has fallen 5.2% since last year.

Ribble Valley and South Ribble have seen impressive drops too, with their figures falling 19.3% and 17.4% respectively.

Fylde also has promising figures with just 2% of people claiming, a 12.7% drop on last year.

Less than 1,000 people claim benefits in Wyre & Preston North following a 14.0% drop; now just 742 receive handouts.

The North West is currently the second highest claiming region in England with 191,828 claimants.

Image credits belong to the London Evening Standard.