Jobless total is now among the highest

Unemployment in the Wyre Forest is among the highest in the region. New figures today reveal 1,332 people claimed jobseeker's allowance in October.

The regeneration of the area is now a priority to bring back businesses and jobs. The figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions show Worcester has the highest number of people out of work in the whole of Worcestershire, at 1,438.

Redditch just crept ahead of Wyre Forest with 1,349. Bromsgrove had 1,160 claimants, Wychavon 1,130 and Malvern Hills 528.

Planners on Wyre Forest District Council have used these figures in a new blueprint for the town.

As part of the council's regeneration plans it is looking at creating a media village in Green Street.

Some of Wyre Forest's biggest companies have closed in recent years including the Sugar Beet Factory on Stourport Road, Carpets of Worth and Parson's Chain in Stourport. Sealine, one of Kidderminster biggest employers has announced it will be shedding hundreds of jobs.

A new site known as The Beet – the former British Sugar factory – is set to create hundreds of jobs as part of a plan to turn it into Kidderminster Industry, Science and Nature Park.