THE number of people claiming benefits in Weymouth and Portland has rocketed.

New research published by the Dorset Poverty Mapping Group (DPMG) has revealed that 10.2 per cent of the county's population lives in households that receive housing and council tax benefits.

Compared to previous years, this figure has dropped in line with the national trend.

Yet the number of benefit claims has continued to rise in Weymouth and Portland.

The group reports that in 2001, there were 7,982 claimants, partners and dependants living on benefits in the area, including at least 1,342 pensioners. And more than 15 per cent of all Weymouth and Portland residents under the age of 19 lived with parents on benefits.

Dorset County Council services planning officer Jenny Galuschka said there were no immediate explanations why Weymouth and Portland has such a high rate of benefit claims.

She added: "We used autumn figures instead of summer statistics when all the seasonal work would have finished, forcing some people back into unemployment.

"This could partly account for the abnormally high number of people seeking benefit. It should be remembered that the figures represent only those people who know about benefits and how they can receive them.

"We aim to make that information readily available to everyone.

"For example, the Citizens' Advice Bureaux (CAB) in Sherborne and Dorchester can send staff out to meet people who would not normally be able to seek benefit advice at their offices."

The poverty group's research also showed that children aged five to 10 years old are the most likely to live in benefit-dependent households in all areas of the county except West Dorset, where the under-fives are most likely to have parents claiming discounts. Fifty-seven per cent of the county's housing and council tax claims come from pensioners.

The poverty group is made up of representatives from various groups, including the county, district and borough councils, Age Concern, CAB, Connexions, Dorchester Poverty Action Group, Dorset Community Action, JobCentre Plus, HealthWorks and the Learning and Skills Council.