A CUMBRIAN MP has welcomed the decision to keep a branch of the Jobcentre open in Eden - but is now calling for services to be brought to Appleby and Kirkby Stephen as well.

Rory Stewart MP hailed the news that Penrith will retain its centre, but says he will continue to press for a 'push' into the surrounding rural communities.

"It is great news to hear that Penrith Jobcentre will remain open," he said.

"In many ways we are quite lucky to live in a region with one of the very lowest unemployment rates in the country.

"But there are still individuals out there, living in rural communities, who need support."

Mr Stewart was closely involved with the debate over the future of the Jobcentre, meeting staff, management and service users.

He set out to emphasise the challenges the centre faces, supporting claimants living in a rural and sparsely-populated area, and the hardship and problems users in the wider area would face were the branch to close.

On Friday it was announced the centre will remain open.

Mr Stewart said he now hopes it will develop a model for bringing services 'even closer' to Eden communities, delivering more support from Community Development Centres in places like Appleby, Kirkby Stephen and Langwathby.

"I am keen now to see the Jobcentre doing even more in our rural communities surrounding Penrith," he added.

"I welcome their offer to continue working closely on this."

The news was also welcomed by Cumbria County Council, after the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed its decision to keep the site open.

Council leader, Stewart Young, said: "We believed that closure would have had a massive impact on disadvantaged people in this sparsely-populated rural area.

"It is vital that there is a face-to-face, confidential service accessible to local people.

"Expecting people to travel to Carlisle instead would have had severe financial and logistical implications for individuals and families.

"For some, it would have been all but impossible."