Unemployment has increased for the third successive month according to the Office for National Statistics.

The number out of work and claiming benefit rose by 8,100 in April, making a total increase of nearly 26,000 since the start of the year.

Toothpaste giant Colgate is the latest big firm to announce job losses, with a factory in Salford set to shed 400 jobs.

However, some sectors recorded a fall in vacancies, with hoteliers, caterers, financial firms, manufacturers and services companies all recording good recruitment business.