An event which happens just once every ten years will create 1,500 jobs in North Yorkshire next year.

April 29, 2001 is Census Day, the once-in-a-decade count of the entire population.

The team which is organising the census operation in the county is looking to fill 1,500 part-time ''enumerator'' vacancies to ensure the information-gathering process runs as smoothly as possible.

The enumerators, or counting officers, will be responsible for delivering the actual census forms to every household in the country and explaining how to complete the form and return it to the Office of National Statistics, which is responsible for the census.

In North Yorkshire, census area manager Alan Davies needs to recruit counting officers to visit every house in an area covering York, Hambleton, Ryedale, Harrogate and Scarborough.

He is looking for people who really know their area.

The term of employment for team leaders in the exercise would be about three-and-a-half months and about two months for enumerators.

The census is carried out every ten years to provide a snapshot of life in the UK.

Further details and application forms are available at the Stonebow or Clifford Street JobCentres in York, and other Jobcentres in Malton, Harrogate, Scarborough, Whitby, Northallerton and Skipton. Alternatively, ring the Employment Service direct on 0845 6060 234.