Job figures in the East Midlands are at their highest level in almost eight years, according to figures released today.

The Office for National Statistics issued its latest monthly regional employment bulletin this morning, which showed that the total number of people (aged 16-64) in employment in the region increased by 1,500 to 2,142,369 in the three months to January, meaning there were 51,749 more people in work than in the same period last year.

There were 117,000 people unemployed in the region in the three months to January 15. The last time the figure was this low was in April 2007.

The regional unemployment rate is now 5.2%, compared to the national rate of 5.7%.

In Chesterfield the number of people claiming out of work benefit stood at 1,437 in February, which is 43 lower than the figure announced in January.

East Midlands Chamber’s Head of Information and Representation, Chris Hobson, said: “This was another extremely positive set of employment figures, with the number of JSA claimants across the region falling significantly over the year, the number of people in work increasing and the unemployment rate in the East Midlands now well below the national average.

“Over the course of this Parliament, the unemployment rate in the East Midlands has fallen by 2.2% and this has largely been driven by the efforts of local businesses in creating the jobs and generating the growth needed to secure and sustain the economic recovery.

“With the General Election in the not-so-distant future and the inevitable uncertainties that will bring, business will be hoping the Chancellor keeps a steady hand on the tiller with his Budget announcement, rather than make any politically-motivated announcements which risk unpicking the strong progress the economy has made over the past two years.”

Destination Chesterfield’s event to toast the town’s success has been declared a sell out.

Celebrate Chesterfield, which is being held at the Winding Wheel on Wednesday 25 March from 07:30am – 11:00am, is now set to welcome more than 200 people to the venue.

To add your name to the waiting list in case of cancellations, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/celebrate.

The free event, held in association with headline sponsors Markham Vale and The Corrugated Case Company, offers local businesses the chance to be the first to hear about the exciting plans for the town in 2015.

The breakfast event will also look back on the success of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s inward investment campaign, during the last 12 months. The campaign, which has been running since 2011, and will launch a new plan to promote the town until December 2016.

People who have missed out on getting a place at Celebrate, can keep-up-to-date with what’s being discussed at the event by following it on Twitter @desches and using #celebrate15.

Delegates at the event will also have the opportunity to question local leaders and politicians on a Question Time-style panel.

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “There has once again been exceptional demand attend our annual Celebrate event. It’s a great opportunity to look at all we have achieved together as a town as well as what is going to be happening.

“It is with the support of our sponsors, Henry Boot Developments and The Corrugated Case Company that we are able to run this event bringing people together to celebrate and share in the success of our thriving town.”

The event will also include talks from local business people, including the University of Derby which will present the much-anticipated plans for the St Helena’s site in Chesterfield.

Ben Ward of Henry Boot Developments said, “Markham vale has grown successfully to become one of Chesterfield’s prime employment sites over the last 12 months which is great news for the local economy. During the next 12 months we are hopeful to be able to announce some further significant new investment projects for the site and region.

“We are delighted to sponsor this event and continue our support to promote Chesterfield, often overshadowed by its larger neighbours. There is a wealth of good news in the area which needs to be celebrated. This includes the decision by both Inspirespac and Gould alloys to retain their roots in Chesterfield and invest to significantly grow their businesses at Markham.”

Tony Hession, Director of The Corrugated Case Company said: “As a Chesterfield based company with customers and staff based here, we’re thrilled to be involved with the Celebrate Chesterfield event. It is vital that we promote all that is good about our town; its centrally located geographic position, its historic (and present day) creative manufacturing and engineering prowess and of course its location on the edge of the magnificent Peak District and all that has to offer! We look forward to meeting friends both old and new at the Destination Chesterfield event.”

As well as following the event on Twitter, people are also being urged to Like Chesterfielduk on Facebook and to check Destination Chesterfield’s website: www.chesterfield.co.uk to ensure they don’t miss out on the news throughout the event.