Around 1,000 families in west Norfolk are now better off due to a sharp fall in unemployment.

Council officials say that figures in August 2013 saw 2,432 people claiming JSA, compared to 1,466 recorded last month.

Nick Daubney, leader of West Norfolk Council, said this was good news.

He said: 'There are more people in training and there has been a general pick up in the economy. More employers are definitely looking for people and employment standards are more high so training is important.'

He added: 'There are now more opportunities to take.'

The number of young people aged between 16 and 24 claiming JSA has also fallen - 775 were on the benefit compared to 380 this year.

North-west Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham said he welcomes the news.

He said: 'More families now have hope for the future and it's very good news for the local economy. Wages are slowly but surely catching up with inflation and that obviously means people will be better off.'

Mr Bellingham said that he wanted to pay tribute to the businesses who are employing people - in particular the small ones that are growing.

'They are creating jobs for the future,' he said.

And south west Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss added that since 2010, unemployment in her constituency has dropped by 50pc.

She said: 'This is really fantastic news and is a real boost for the area. With improvements like the dualling of the A11, more frequent services on the Kings Lynn to London line, investment in broadband, and the continued campaign to ensure the A47 is improved – these are key infrastructure projects that encourage growth resulting in jobs for local people.'