TOP employers from across Oxfordshire competed for new recruits yesterday at a jobs fair at Oxford Town Hall.

The main hall at the St Aldate's venue was packed out with exhibition stands as staff signed up prospective employees.

The Oxford Times Jobs Fair followed on from a previous event in February attracted about 1,500 jobseekers.

At the last event there were 35 employers and yesterday the number increased to 38, including high street giant Marks & Spencer.

Other exhibitors included sponsors Day and Nightcare Assistance, South Central Ambulance Service, NHS Blood and Transport, Tesco, Andrews Property Service, Grundon Waste Management, Age UK Oxfordshire, and parcels firm Hermes.

Newsquest media sales manager Belinda Rand, who helped to organise the jobs fair, said: "It's fantastic that there are even more employers involved than last time, and there was a steady stream of jobseekers throughout the day.

"There is plenty of space for firms to set up stands and talk to people about career opportunities."

Unemployment is low across Oxfordshire with just 0.6 per cent of the population – 2,705 – claiming workplace benefits, so employers in a number of different sectors, including health care and retail, were keen to recruit.

Azar Modabber, customer assistant recruiter for Marks & Spencer, said there were more than 30 vacancies at the Queen Street store with a further 12 at its Summertown store in Banbury Road.

She added: "The jobs fair is a very good opportunity for us to recruit new staff."

Among prospective employees talking to M&S and other employers was Kamila Sumajova, 26, from Didcot.

She said: "Usually I do translation work but I'm looking for an admin role with a company.

"I'm very impressed by the range of different companies with jobs on offer and I have brought my CV along to show them."

Paula Pereira, 43, a mother-of-two from Blackbird Leys, said she was looking for part-time secretarial work.

She added: "There's so much variety here - it's a really good opportunity to have a look round and find something different."

Oscar Escallada, 45, a hotel manager from Boars Hill, said he has been working nights and wanted to swap to day shifts.

"I have been looking at a whole range of different possibilities – it's very exciting," he said.

Among retailers he spoke to was Tesco.

Scott Kilby, manager of Tesco in Botley, said: "People might come to us for a second job or to build a career – there's a whole range of different opportunities."

David Wiffen, lettings area manager for Andrews Property group was another employer urging job hunters to apply for a role at the company.

He said: "We have six or seven vacancies to fill and you can recruit real gems here.

"One member of staff we recruited at the last fair to work on Saturdays has now been promoted to a full-time negotiator."

John Maloney, managing director of sponsors Day and Nightcare Assistance, said: "People come here to pick up information and then we arrange an interview – Oxfordshire needs more care workers."