Then those out of work were referred to a "jobseekers".

Now, jobless people in Preston are said to be experiencing "worklessness".

In a bid to get more people back into work, the council is looking to employ a £58,000 a year "head of worklessness".

The move comes as city leaders revealed unemployment rates in the most deprived areas of Preston are getting worse.

Preston's unemployment rate currently stands at 2.4%, above the national average of 2.1%.

Latest figures show there are 14,030 people claiming benefits across the city, including 2,080 claiming Jobseeker Allowance, 7,730 on Incapacity Benefit and 1,780 receiving Lone Parent benefits.

Community leaders say the worklessness role is a vital one but straight-talking experts from the Plain English Campaign reckon the job title could prove to be a stumbling block.

The new head will be asked to review the current situation in Preston, before putting forward recommendations about the best ways to combat the problem.

He or she will particularly work with minority ethnic groups, women, single parents, over 50s and people not in education or training.

A spokesman for the Plain English Campaign said: "It is so unnecessary. Everyone understands what unemployment means.

"If the public are to welcome this good news and understand where their tax money is being spent, why make an obstacle by using unfamiliar terminology within a subject area that is already viewed negatively?"

According to the council, Preston's unemployment rates in the most deprived areas are getting worse but are doing so more slowly than elsewhere in Lancashire.

However, the council admits "the trend is still going in the wrong direction".

Vin Baldwin, a community outreach worker, said a lot of unemployment was caused by a lack of confidence.

He said: "The bottom line is confidence levels and self-esteem. If you've been away from work for the past three or four years, the world does get a bit of a bigger place and it's not as easy to integrate as it once was.

"My role is to build confidence and self-esteem and help people into college and training, and overcome barriers they face to do that. It's about showing them there's an alternative way of doing things."

The new post will be funded through cash from the Government's Working Neighbourhoods Fund over the next three years.

Preston MP Mark Hendrick said the city's unemployment rate had fallen since Labour took power in 1997.

The funding will be discussed when Preston Council's cabinet meets on Wednesday May 21.