More than 365 people turned up to meet advisors, benefits staff, recruitment agency representatives and a Jobcentre Plus team at the Finding Your Way Back to Work event at Willows Arts Centre, George Street.

It was the first event of its type in Corby and follows a similar event last week in Kettering.

Self-employed lorry driver Garry Savage, 45, of Forstal Close, Corby has been short of driving jobs since the end of last year when work dried up.

He said: "It's hard because I've got a mortgage to pay.

"I've been an HGV driver for the past four years but in September I noticed most of the haulage companies started cutting back. I'm looking for any jobs really.

"I'm glad they've put on an event like this as it's helpful to have everything in one place."

Recruiters Echo Personnel were looking for 20 forklift drivers to work at a Corby firm.

Consultant Paul Glass said: "It was a really successful day and we registered 70 people so that when suitable jobs come up we can place them."

Northamptonshire Police were also recruiting for police posts as well as civilian jobs.

Human resources operations administrator Charlotte Johnson said: "We are recruiting all the time and we put new jobs on our website every Thursday.

"It's understandably quite a long application process to become a police officer but it's the kind of job people do for life so that's to be expected."

The day was organised by Corby Council and Jobcentre Plus staff.

Corby Council benefits and local taxation manager Tracey Manton said: "Today is not just about finding a job.

"The fair was also about offering people information on retraining, looking at other opportunities and skills and finding out about what benefits and grants are available.

"People who are out of work often need a support network and that is what we are here for.

"There are so many options available and sometimes people just don't know what's on offer to them.

"We have tried to get everyone in the same room so that it makes the process a lot easier."

Corby has 2,310 people out of work, although recent figures suggest that the impact of the recession on the jobs market is diminishing.