UNEMPLOYMENT continues to tumble in the Borders.

The latest figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions show that 45 fewer Borderers are out of work compared to this time last year.

And the region is currently enjoying a two-year low when it comes to the number of people actively seeking employment.

As of the end of September a total of 1040 people in the region were officially unemployed - down from 1085 in September, 2016.

The figures also show that unemployment in the 18-to-24-year-olds bracket has also fallen from 300 to 265 in the space of 12 months.

And hopes are high that the trend will continue with the care and retail sectors both actively looking for workers.

Marjory Russell from Galashiels Jobcentre told us: "The latest figures are encouraging.

"Care establishments and call centres are both actively recruiting and there will also be a number of retail jobs created over the coming month or so with the opening of the new Aldi store in Hawick."

A recruitment event to fill the Aldi vacancies at its new Hawick store, which opens in January 2018, is being held in Hawick Town Hall on Wednesday, November 1.

Local jobcentre staff are also involved with a forthcoming construction industry event in Galashiels to help employers find suitable workers.

Local MP John Lamont has welcomed this week's employment figures.

He said: “We’ve all become so used to the news that unemployment is falling, but it is worth reflecting on the fact that in the Borders, there are now fewer than half the number of people who claim benefits than there were just a few years ago.

"The strength of the UK economy is helping to create full time, permanent jobs which is giving more people across the Borders the chance for a reliable income.

"However, clearly more needs to be done to ensure that people’s wages go as far as possible.

"That is why I support policies like the UK Government’s energy price cap, the roll out of a UK living wage and tax cuts for those on the lowest incomes.”