DRAMATIC new figures reveal that Worcestershire's economy has been the third fastest growing in the entire country - outstripping all but two parts of the nation.

Between 2008 and 2013 the county's economy grew by 16.82 per cent, with only London and Oxford faring better.

The release of the stats follows years of major investment in Worcestershire, particularly by the private sector which has sunk £600 million in during just the last three years.

It also follows steady falls in unemployment - with the Office for National Statistics publishing the fresh data which puts the county at a yearly 'growth rate' of 3.34 per cent.

Aside from London, Oxford and then Worcestershire only two other areas exceeded three per cent annual growth, those being Buckinghamshire and Gloucestershire, and the national average is just 2.4 per cent.

The findings come as Worcester MP Robin Walker has released a graph showing how more people are in work now than in 2010 across all parts of the city.

But the data has led to fresh criticism from some politicians, who say it masks other trends like zero hours contracts, the increased use of foodbanks and welfare cuts.

The economic growth has been leapt on by Peter Pawsey, chairman of Worcestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership, who said: "This is great news for Worcestershire and rewards not only the efforts of the partnership, but particularly those of our business community and the councils of our county over the full five years."

Since 2010 unemployment has fallen by more than 40 per cent in every council ward across Worcester, with the sharpest drops in the city centre, Warndon , St John's and St Peter's.

In percentage terms Gorse Hill now has 42 per cent fewer people out of work and St Peter's, 74 per cent.

Mr Walker has called the long-term trends "remarkable" and says it shows Worcester is moving in the right direction.

"It is wonderful to see a jobs recovery that is so broad based," he said.

"More people in Worcester are working than ever before and that is the case whether we look at men or women, younger or older people."

Worcester Green Party says the data should be treated with scepticism.

Councillor Neil Laurenson said: "When I speak to people on the doorstep, home or pub they don't tell me this - for them, wages aren't keeping up with the cost of living.

"If things are so massively better why are so many people using foodbanks?

"I can't see how the majority have benefitted from this growth, I'd really like to see how it's being distributed."