ALMOST 2,000 Pendle residents are out of work and claiming benefits, latest figures have revealed.

The figures revealed that last month there were 1,859 unemployed claimants in the borough — 380 less than a year before and eight higher than in July 2008.

Andrew Stephenson, MP for Pendle, said: “Speaking to local businessmen, I have felt growing confidence within the local business community, with a number of firms reporting rising orders and plans for growth.

“However, we still do have far too many people out of work.

"I will be pressing the government to do even more to get our economy back on track.”