The public services joined forces to host a careers event in Nelson and the day attracted over 300 people.

The event was specifically aimed at actively promoting careers in the services to the ethnic minority community and to those from deprived areas.

It was being held as a result of two recent successful jobsfairs held at Blackburn Jobcentre Plus, where over 1500 local people attended. A partnership between Jobcentre Plus and the Public Services has been forged and together these organisations are encouraging many people, who might not consider this sort of work, to apply for public service jobs.

A spokesperson for the emergency services said, "We encourage people to come along and talk to us about any fears or apprehensions they might have to joining the services."

Mark Walker for Jobcentre Plus said, "We are actively looking at ways of promoting careers in the services to ethnic minority communities and to people from deprived areas. This strategy, of bringing the services to these communities through our offices, shows how committed we are to changing the way people perceive their choices in life.."