UNEMPLOYMENT across the county showed a sharp increase in January, up nearly 1,500 on the previous month.

Mirroring dismal figures in the rest of the country, the combined jobless total for Kent and Medway soared 1,488 to 21,923.

As the jobs market tightens, the number of people out of work and claiming benefit in the county is now almost 3,700 higher than the same time a year ago.

In January 2005, the jobless total for Medway stood at 3,608 (803 fewer) while the Kent tally was 14,633 (2,879 fewer).

Every Kent district suffered, with treble digit increases in six out of 12 areas.

East Kent was badly hit, with Dover, Shepway, Swale and Thanet all posting three-figure increases. But Gravesham and Dartford, well positioned in the Kent Thames Gateway growth area, also saw unemployment rise by 111 and 167 respectively.

Even well-heeled west Kent was affected, with the combined number of claimants in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells up by 167.

Nationally, the unemployment level rose by 108,000 to 1.54 million in the three months to December.

The number of people in full-time jobs fell by 27,000 to 21.47 million. although the number of jobs went up by 9,000 to 30.82 million.

Public sector jobs increased by 72,000 to 5.83 million in the year to September, while the private sector saw a rise of 249,000 to 23.05 million.

Average earnings rose 3.8 per cent in the three months to December, unchanged from the previous quarter.

Claimant count on January 12: Kent and Medway, 21,923 (up 1,488); Medway, 4,411 (up 307); rest of Kent, 17,512 (up 1,181); Ashford, 1,056 (up 72); Canterbury, 1,570 (up 69); Dartford, 1,149 (up 111); Dover, 1,799 (up 114); Gravesham, 1,721 (up 167); Maidstone, 1,309 (up 74); Sevenoaks, 718 (up 35); Shepway, 1,736 (up 102); Swale, 2,103 (up 150); Thanet, 2,831 (up 155); Tonbridge and Malling, 809 (up 84); Tunbridge Wells, 711 (up 48).