A young man who is desperate for work has told how he has applied for more than 400 jobs in two years but is still unemployed.
Jake Hopes says competition to find a job is fierce and he has been rejected by Pizza Hut, Asda and many other employers in and around Bristol.
The 23-year-old, who wants to become an actor, said he hasn't had any luck even though he has previous experience in retail and customer service.
Jake told Bristol Live that he applies for about four jobs a week and it can be crushing when he doesn't receive a response or reaches the interview stage and is told the role has been given to someone else.
He said he has previously worked at a cinema, in the kitchen of a pub, and in a shop.
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He's been looking for similar roles for the last two years, but no-one has hired him for a permanent position.
Jake said he has found temporary employment in that time.
He said: "I didn't even get a job at Pizza Hut, somewhere you think hires most people.
"There's just so many people applying for one role, it's really tough.
"I need to earn money so I can fund a degree in acting.
"Without work I can't do that.
"I've been to quite a few interviews but most of the time I just don't hear anything back."
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He added: "It's really frustrating.
"I spend a lot of time at home bored.
"I make sure I go out for walks but most of the time I don't leave the house.
"I want to work.
"I really want to become a successful actor but I can't do that without money."
According to new figures released earlier this month, the number of people in work continues to reach near record levels, and the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level for more than 40 years.
Employment jumped by 99,000 in the three months to March, to 32.7 million, the third highest total since records began in 1971.
Unemployment fell by 65,000 to 1.3 million, continuing a general trend which started in early 2012.
The UK's unemployment rate of 3.8 per cent is now lower than at any time since the end of 1974, reported the Office for National Statistics.
Wage growth stalled after several months of increases.
Average earnings increased by 3.2 per cent in the year to February, compared with 3.5 per cent on the previous month.
