A JOBS boom is predicted for East Cambridgeshire as it becomes the second fastest growing district in the East of England. Employment opportunities are expected to increase by more than 50 per cent by 2031 compared with a 19 per cent increase in Cambridge

A JOBS boom is predicted for East Cambridgeshire as it becomes the second fastest growing district in the East of England.

Employment opportunities are expected to increase by more than 50 per cent by 2031 compared with a 19 per cent increase in Cambridge and 13 per cent in Forest Heath.

The area's population is also expected to rise by more than 28 per cent from 79,000 to around 100,000 in the same period.

If the predictions are correct they mean that the speed of the district's growth is second only to mid Bedfordshire.

The figures have been revealed in a report prepared for the East of England Development Agency's draft economic strategy - the plan for securing the region's future economic success.

The news has been welcomed by Ely mayor and economic champion, Cllr Ron Bradney.

He said: "There are too many individuals who are forced to out-commute because their jobs are not near to their homes. We have a well educated and willing workforce that most employers would be delighted to have on the payroll.

"East Cambs is in competition with other districts for these jobs and this means that we must welcome new companies and be positive about planning applications. We need to promote the clear news that East Cambs is an excellent place to live, safe to bring up our children with a caring community."

Darren Hill, East Cambridgeshire District Council's economic development officer, said that there were 27,000 jobs in the district and 40,000 workers living there.

Those who work outside the area travel principally to Cambridge for jobs, he said.

"This fits in very well with what we are trying to do which is to develop the area as a business location," he added. "We have a very skilled workforce.

"We are trying to encourage people to take a more active part in their community and this would ease our infrastructure problems as well.