A YOUNG woman now working for Poundland in Trowbridge has told a conference in Melksham how her disability has affected her employment.

Hannah Lawson, 22, who has Asperger's Syndrome, was let go by a Bath food retailer because of her disability.

But she found a new job with Poundland in The Shires shopping centre, where her customer service skills are highly valued.

Hannah said: "I was unemployed for six months after I was let go, but Pluss in Chippenham found me a job with Poundland who took me on. I get confused at times, particularly when it's busy, but I'm much happier."

Her supervisor, Kieron Dolman, said: "Hannah is a unique person, but I am really proud of the way she has come on. She has come a long way in three months and has good customer service skills."

They were speaking at a Disability Confident conference at Melksham Town Hall last Friday July 26 organised by local MP Michelle Donelan, who urged employers in West Wiltshire to take on people with disabilities.

The Chippenham MP said: "I went into politics to help create opportunities for people and that includes people with disabilities being able to access jobs.

"This is about people having careers and being able to go for the jobs they want to do," she said.

Some of the exhibitors included the Department for Work and Pensions; Work Wiltshire; Pluss of Chippenham; Building Bridges of Devizes; Wiltshire Service Users' Network; Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living of Semington; the Richmond Fellowship, a mental health charity, and WorkFit, which offers a direct link between employers and people with Down's Syndrome.