HUNDREDS of people have found work with Trafford Council through an innovative recruitment scheme.

The authority teamed up with Work Solutions, a not-for-profit organisation, to ensure its temporary and permanent jobs go to local people who need them most.

The partnership has seen more than 250 people find work in the last two-and-a-half years in a wide range of council posts - from gardening and HGV driving to animal care.

Work Solutions places an emphasis on finding work for more vulnerable residents, including those on incapacity benefit or income support, over-50s, ethnic minorities and long-term unemployed.

Grandmother-of-three Sue Ward, of Sale, began working for the council's legal and democratic services department in 2004, more than 30 years after her last office job.

The temporary placement led to full-time employment. Sue, 48, now works as a clerical officer in the human resources department.

"I had taken some time off work because I had four children to look after," she said.

"I had always wanted to come back to a job like this but I had spent such a long time away from the office that it was a different place. Work Solutions offered me the opportunity."