The number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) in Sid Valley postcodes rose by one last month, new figures have revealed.

Sixty-five people claimed the out of work benefit in February, compared to 64 the month before.

The number of people signing on in Ottery St Mary has risen from 18 to 20.

The small rise is put down to the seasonal nature of much work in the county.

Across Devon, the figure stands at 3,924, up 172 on the previous month – but that is down 13.6 per cent compared to February 2015, and 65 per cent lower than the same period in 2012.

The claimant rate in East Devon stands at 0.8 per cent, which is half the national average.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for economy and growth, said: “It is encouraging to see February’s figures well below those from the same period last year.

“However, we recognise more needs to be done.

“We continue to work with local businesses and educational institutions to ensure the overall trend for reductions in JSA claimants continues.”