Gloucester MP Richard Graham will host a jobs fair at Kingsholm as part of a drive to tackle the rising post-coronavirus employment crisis.

Gloucestershire Jobs, Skills and Apprenticeships Lift Off will take place on Friday, September 11.

Mr Graham said: "It is absolutely clear that the major challenge for our country and county ahead is jobs - and how we respond in Gloucestershire is crucial, especially for our young.

"We've been here before, but the context is very different and the scale of the challenge almost certainly greater.

"I'm grateful, despite the massive disruption to their business from the pandemic, that Gloucester Rugby has offered Kingsholm and all its spaces for this event on an entirely non-profit basis."

He continued: "This event has the fantastic backing of all six of our county's MPs and the GFirst LEP.

"I hope very much that our county council, three universities, two FE colleges, 3 NHS trusts, GCHQ, the Armed Forces, Gloucestershire Constabulary and the G15 cluster of our secondary schools will also play a key part."

Apprenticeship minister Gillian Keegan MP will attend the event while employment minister Mims Davies MP will hold a virtual meeting with employers.

Mr Graham, who is looking for support from the county business community for the event, said: "I believe with the enthusiasm of the county, we can pull off a great Gloucestershire success, a blended physical and virtual event, filmed and streamed to lots of people."