JOBSEEKERS in Bolton are reaping the benefits after two support agencies joined forces to help get them back into work.

Bolton Council's Working Together programme has been offering practical and financial help for the out-of-work, while Business Bolton has forged links with companies to fill vacancies.

The combination recently helped about 50 people find jobs at the Handleman UK distribution centre on the Wingates Industrial Estate.

And with operations due to start fully next month, Business Bolton and Handleman - which distributes DVDs and CDs for Texco - are keen to help more people, regardless of circumstances, back to work.

Lead welder Wayne Kent, aged 29, had been made redundant when he became one of the first recruits that Working Together put forward for the Handleman vacancies.

Wayne, from Farnworth, said: "It's been a great experience for me. I started as a warehouse operative in November and have since been promoted to senior warehouse operative with more responsibility and I actually do feel there are a lot of opportunities to progress within Handleman."

Colleague Bill Astley, aged 49, has also been promoted to senior warehouse operative within the first few months.

Bolton Council's executive member for regeneration, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said: "It's encouraging to hear about the positive contribution these new jobs are making to the local economy and to the lives of individual residents.

"The benefits of the Working Together programme are clear with almost 100 per cent of applications put forward for the Handleman jobs being successful."