The number of people signing on the dole in Oxfordshire has fallen to its lowest level in five years.

Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show 5,751 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in August, a fall of 174 on the previous month.

The figure is the lowest since November 2008 and is the fifth successive monthly fall.

Timon Colegrove, president of the Oxfordshire Institute of Directors, said: “There seems to be a huge amount of business activity with lots happening. But it is not a time to relax. One of the problems with an increase in activity is that it is a challenge because recruiting takes time.”

Nationally, the figure fell 32,600 to 1.402 million, its lowest level since February 2009.

The total number of unemployed people including those not claiming benefits fell 24,000 to 2.487 million.