Two local disabled unemployed men who were losing hope of finding another job again have started work at Asda’s new store in Keighley after help from specialist employment services organisation Remploy in Bradford.

Matt Durkin, 25, from Bingley, who has Asperger’s Syndrome and had been out of work for five years and 46-year-old Gary Peters from Keighley, who has a physical disability, had been seeking work for the past two years. Both had become disheartened from a lack of response to a stream of job applications.

New checkout operator Matt, said: “I wanted to work in retail, but I lost count of the jobs I applied for. The majority of employers just didn’t respond to my letters and, as a result, my self-esteem hit an all-time low.”

Shipley’s Jobcentre Plus referred Matt to Remploy’s specialist employment services branch on Bank Street, Bradford, where he was helped to develop his CV, learn interview techniques and receive help with job searching, which earned him an interview at Asda.

He said: “Not long after, I was offered this job and it has really made all the difference. ”

Gary previously worked in a call centre until being made redundant due to the recession and he struggled to find a similar job.

He said: “Like Matt, things looked up when I was referred to Remploy’s branch in Bradford for specialist support. They helped me understand how employers think, and gave me loads of advice about making the most of job interviews.

“When the opportunity arose to be a porter at Asda’s store, I jumped at it, and I’m very glad I did.”

l Remploy’s Bradford office can be contacted on 0300 4568054.