The job market in the US is finally picking up, after the country endured a “jobless recovery” lasting more than a year.

Government figures revealed the country’s economy created 308,000 new jobs last month.

The positive figures add weight to the argument that the US economy could finally be on the verge of recovery.

Weekly new jobless claims have fallen and many corporations have stopped firing in large numbers, according to figures revealed by the US Labor Department.

Analysts said there were still too many people looking for jobs – but added that the country was back on track.

The news will come as a welcome boost to George Bush, whose campaign for re-election could hinge on the economy.