Organisers of an inaugural jobs fair have hailed the event as a resounding success and say it will return in future years.

The first Wayland Jobs and Careers Fair, held in Watton's Queens Hall, attracted 26 exhibitors from local businesses from the care, hospitality, volunteer and retail sectors, local colleges and apprenticeship providers, as well as the armed forces and the Job Centre.

Organised by the Wayland Partnership and sponsored by Wayland Chamber of Commerce, the event was designed to help exhibitors recruit staff or students and to offer information and advice.

In total 160 people visited the fair, more than a third of whom were unemployed and the rest being students or currently employed.

The mayor of Watton Beryl Bunning also attended with her husband John Bunning.

Suzanne Rhind, business and community development manager at the Wayland Partnership, said: 'The event was held in response to demand expressed through our Jobs in Wayland Facebook group.

'The success of the day has shown that there is a real need to provide quality, local information for people looking for employment in the Wayland area.'

Jan Godfrey, chairman of the Wayland Partnership, said both exhibitors and attendees had been 'enthusiastic' about the event.

One female visitor was invited for an interview later that week, and another who had not expected to find anything to suit her came away from the event with two good leads.

'Thanks are due to all the exhibitors, the Partnership staff and especially to the volunteers who did the research and recruitment of exhibitors to make the event happen,' said Mrs Godfrey.

The Wayland Partnership team are keen to hold another jobs and careers fair in 2017 and have set a provisional date for March 28.

Are you organising a business or community event? Email bethany.whymark@archant.co.uk