A DESPERATE jobseeker was so fed up of having his CVs ignored that he took to the roadside in an effort to find work.

Robert Thompson spent four hours at Four Lane Ends in Over Hulton, holding a sign saying “please give me a job”.

Robert, aged 27, has had just two interviews since he left the University of Bolton with a degree in computing and IT three years ago — despite applying for 300 positions.

It was the second time Mr Thompson, of Smith Street, Atherton, tried his luck by the roadside having previously stood for three hours at the same spot in February.

He said: “I did it before and thought I’d give it one more shot.

“The response was fairly lukewarm compared to the first time around, but I just wrote my mobile number on cards and handed them out. A few people were impressed and some wound down their windows and said ‘good luck, I hope you get something’.”

The number of people in Bolton claiming jobseekers’ allowance rose to its highest levels since March last month, with 5.1 per cent of the borough’s population claiming out of work benefits, higher than both the North West and UK average.

Mr Thompson has never had a job and feels his lack of work experience has not helped his situation, but said he is prepared to work unpaid if it means getting a foot on the ladder.

He said: “I’ve been using computers since I was four years old. I’d like an office office-based job and apply for about two a week. I’m prepared to do unpaid work if that’s what it takes.”

Robert can be contacted on 07969 072890.