An unemployed man is getting set to take a radical approach to job hunting after unsuccessful applications to more than a thousand jobs.

After being made redundant five years ago Loughton man Jamie Hardy has been unable to find work, despite gaining new qualifications, attending courses and applying for jobs every single week.

Now, the fed-up former forklift driver has decided to take the hunt to the next level by advertising himself at the roadside.

Tomorrow morning between 7am and 9am, the 44-year-old will stand on Chigwell Lane, at junction 4 of the M11 with a homemade notice board, advertising his services.

Mr Hardy of Greenfields Close said that he is hopeful that somebody will see just how badly he wants to work.

He said: “I would love to go back to work. I have sent over a thousand applications off for all kinds of work like cleaning and warehouse work. Jobs that I don’t think are unreasonable for my skills, but nothing.

“It’s so disheartening. I’ve done IT courses and travelled to Harlow to do various workshops and I just can’t get anywhere.

“The Job Centre just wants to tick boxes, they don’t listen.

“I will do anything. I am excited because I think that maybe just one of the twenty thousand drivers that travels on the M11 each morning might see me and offer me some work.”

As a part of his campaign Mr Hardy has made leaflets with his details on to hand out to anybody who may stop to talk to him or can give him the break that he needs.

After trying every course and workshop that he can think of, Mr Hardy says that appealing to people personally is the only thing he has left to help him out of the benefits system.

He said: “Living on Job Seekers Allowance is a struggle but really it’s the mental side of it that gets you the most.

“I just want to be given a chance to show what I can do. I am a good worker.”