A careers and skills advice service has helped more than 8,300 adults across the district since its launch just over a year ago.

Next Step provides information to help people make decisions about careers and learning and work opportunities.

The service is available to all adults aged 19 and over, and 18-year-olds if referred by Jobcentre Plus.

West Yorkshire-wide, the project has helped 38,724 people either face-to-face, by phone, via its website or through Twitter and Facebook.

Ian Thompson, for West Yorkshire Next Step, said: “In difficult economic times people need to take all the help they can get to secure a job and our service is completely free to help people on their way.

“Over the last year I have helped many local people secure work and training, from young adults struggling to get their first job to those who are facing redundancy or have been made redundant.

“It’s fantastic that we have been able to support over 38,000 adults in West Yorkshire, but we want even more people to take advantage of our free services.”

For more information and to contact the service, visit direct.gov.uk/nextstep or phone free on 0800 100 900 (lines are open daily from 8am to 10pm).