COLCHESTER’S IT sector is booming, according to latest statistics.

In the last four years, the number of people in the borough employed in IT has increased by 50 per cent, from 2,000 to 4,000.

Other sectors, such as health, saw a 1,000-job increase, while the number of residents working in property and agriculture fell between 2009 and 2012.

However, the increases mean the borough has now met its Government target of having 82,101 people in work by 2020, set by the former regional spatial strategy early this millennium.

Figures for 2013 show there were 86,100 people in work.

Paul Smith, Colchester councillor responsible for business, said: “It is encouraging that we are not just seeing growth in houses, but we’re also seeing growth in jobs.

“We know from looking around the town that many of these jobs are being created in Colchester and that is one of the most pleasing things.

“I think a lot of that is down to the growth of small businesses - and we know in Colchester that is an area of strength.”

The figures were published by the Office of National Statistics.