The event, held today (Wednesday) at North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax, was attended by those looking for work, hoping to set up their own business or looking for advice.

"We have had a lot of people with lots of different interests," said Julia Richardson from Calderdale Council's recruitment team.

"We are answering as many questions as we can to try to help people get an idea of the various opportunities in the council."

The council had a wide range of specific jobs to be filled and people were able to take away details to apply for them in their own time.

As well as advertising current jobs, the team took people's details to let them know how to register for an on-line recruitment service that is soon to be launched.

The council was just one of many employers keen to speak to potential employees.

Also attending were the NHS, West Yorkshire Fire Service, HM Prison Service, Connexions, Action Halifax and Halifax Opportunities Trust, plus various recruitment agencies.

Advice on training, qualifications and education was also on hand from Calderdale College, the University of Huddersfield and Bradford University.

Paul Tansey, local adviser manager from Business Link Yorkshire, was at the fair to give advice to people wanting to set up their own company.

"We always come to this event, every year, to give people an alternative view on whether they should consider self-employment," he said.

"Our remit is to talk to people about working for themselves. Our business advisers spend time one-to-one talking about ideas, business plans and finance."

Tina Jones, of Workwise, said it had been a busy day. "The response has been very good. We have had a lot of people in, showing great interest in our organisation and how we can help."

Workwise offer an individually-tailored employment service to help people with disabilities and health conditions into work.

Jobseekers and budding entrepreneurs also benefited from seminars on enterprise skills, services for businesses, setting up a company and idea development.

Fiona Thurlbeck, business services manager for Calderdale Council, said: "We have had a real mix of clients, from people finding out what skills they need to set up their own business, to those looking for work and young people coming to talk more generally about careers.

"The jobs board gave a lot of interest, there was a lot of variety on offer.

"I hope people will be going home to apply for specific vacancies."