EMPLOYERS are signing up for a jobs fair aimed at getting more than 550 redundant New Look staff back to work.

Ten organisations including ASDA, Tecan and Dorset County Council have confirmed they will host a stall at the fashion giant's event at its distribution centre between 10am and 6pm on September 21.

New Look organisers are expecting dozens of companies to attend after sending out invitations to 185 businesses in Dorset.

The day is part of the retail giant's training and re-employment programme launched last year after it announced the Mercery Road complex will move to Staffordshire.

Thirty-three out of the 580-strong workforce are leaving Dorset to take up jobs at the new Newcastle-under-Lyme centre.

Other workers have taken up training courses in new careers such as catering, vehicle maintenance, bus driving and stonemasonry.

Senior human resources manager Sue Lloyd said: "We have targeted both public sector and private companies that we feel might have the types of vacancies that might be suitable for our workers.

"Almost 600 people will be losing their jobs so we have been talking to local employers and offering retraining courses.

"About 350 people have engaged in retraining and gained qualifications in various occupations such as HGV drivers and stonecarvers and gained certificates in management.

"We have been holding CV workshops and giving information on how to write job applications. These have been held two days a week across all three shifts.

"The job fair is a chance for employers to come and talk to them and find out if they can be of use to their company, either at the moment or with any vacancies in the future."

She added that representatives from the Department of Work and Pensions, Benefit Agency and training providers such as Weymouth College would be on hand to give advice to staff who will be attending the fair on a drop-in basis throughout the day.

The first 100 workers will be leaving New Look over the next two weeks and the majority of staff are to leave on November 2, with 100 staying in their posts until January 13 next year.

For more information about the jobs fair contact Mrs Lloyd on 01305 765023 or Wendy Stroud on 01305 765020.