THEY'RE not afraid of hard graft in Christchurch. And it seems the town's motto, "Where time is pleasant", reflects one of the reasons why.

Christchurch has been rated as the hardest working in the South West and also sixth in the whole of the country.

But what makes the Office of National Statistics findings even more amazing is that more retired people live in Christchurch than anywhere else in the UK.

With 36 per cent of the population aged 60 and over, it's the remaining 64 per cent, for whom retirement still seems a lifetime away, whose healthy work ethic has put the town at the top of the labour poll.

Alan Gerris, Christchurch branch manager of employment agency Adecco, says he knows what makes local workers so motivated.

"It's the lovely location here and the environment that inspires people to work that little bit harder," he said.

"That and the companies in this area. They have good products and good infrastructures and support their staff. If people are treated right, they work harder."

He also believes the wide choice of jobs is attractive to workers.

"We also cover New Milton and the airport, and there are so many opportunities, in industry, retail, commercial, and offices. The area has a wide range of jobs."

The statistics claim Christchurch has an economic activity rate of 89.6 per cent and looks at the percentage of 16- to 64-year-olds in paid employment including self-employed, and those without a job but actively trying to find one.

Nationally the rate is 77.8 per cent, and regionally 81.4 per cent.

Alan Hill, business manager at Jobcentre Plus Christchurch, agreed that the figures are spot on.

"There are 33 per cent less people on jobseekers allowance for six months or more in the town, than there were a year ago," he said.

"This clearly shows that our customers are making the effort and finding the work, whether with our help or not.

"And because we have had such a great level of success, it means we can focus more on those people who want and need a little bit more help in finding jobs, such as single mothers and the incapacitated."

First published: August 12