The number of people claiming Jobseekers' Allowance at Liskeard jobcentre has almost doubled in a year.

And the Jobcentre was open for an extra day on Saturday to cope with the number of new people finding themselves unemployed.

In April 2008, the number of people signing on in Liskeard was 322, now that number has risen to 613 according to latest available figures.

The Liskeard Jobcentre takes applications for benefits from people living all around the area, including Looe and Callington.

The biggest rise has been the number of men aged 25-49, which has increased by 150 since April last year. The number of young men aged 18-24 has also doubled from 70 to 140.

The number of women claiming has risen to 150, up 45 from last year.

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: 'Staff at the Liskeard Jobcentre are working really hard to help people affected by the economic downturn.

'The office was open last Saturday, to take claims for Jobseekers' Allowance.

'We are constantly reviewing the service we provide and will be taking a decision about whether to extend our opening hours on a weekly basis.'