Christchurch Borough Council has assured recession-hit residents that it’s not all “doom and gloom” in the area.

At a meeting of the full council, councillors heard from Cllr Sally Derham-Wilkes, portfolio holder for business and tourism, about the effects of the difficult economic situation on the borough.

She outlined the affects of the recession so far, with unemployment rates doubling – although from a very low base.

The percentage of Neets – 16-18-year-olds not in education, employment or training – had also doubled.

She said Christchurch recorded the second highest teenage conception rate in Dorset and the second highest increase in conception rate in the county.

The meeting also heard about the significant employment losses including at BAE Systems, European Aviation and more recently 246 jobs at Siemens VAI.

But it was not all bad news as, despite some shops closing in Christchurch and Highcliffe, many more had opened, plugging gaps in the main shopping area.

Cllr Derham-Wilkes also commented on tourism in the borough, with a bumper record-breaking season at Christchurch Information Centre and visits to the town’s website up by 64 per cent.

And despite their own restraints, with budget cuts and strains including the popular free bus travel scheme for pensioners, the council’s housing and benefits services are said to be responding well to the pressures, while more initiatives are being shored up to help the local economy.

Cllr Alan Griffiths, leader of Christchurch Borough Council, said: “We are looking after people’s quality of life here in Christchurch.

“We’ve already done an awful lot in the borough with improving Two Riversmeet, Highcliffe Castle and affordable housing but we need to carry on and keep our nose to the grindstone.”