Concerns are growing about the number of young people joining the dole queues in Leicestershire.

There are now 6,740 benefit claimants aged between 18 and 24 – more than double the number of 12 months ago.

A leading charity says these young people will be the worst affected by the recession and it could leave them "permanently damaged" if they do not find work. The figures come just days after it was revealed that Leicestershire's dole queue had reached a 13-year high of 24,094, with almost 1,000 people joining the total last month.

Young people said the recession had made it "impossible" to find work.

Marie Keen is living at the YMCA hostel, in East Street, and has been looking for work for 18 months. The 18-year-old said: "I'm living on Jobseekers' Allowance, which is £90 for two weeks. That's not enough to live on.

"I've applied for quite a few jobs, but it's getting harder because there aren't as many available now."

Chris Chapman, 20, moved into the YMCA hostel in February, after he was asked to leave his home in Netherhall because he could no longer afford to pay rent.

He said: "I would love to get a few people together and start a gardening business or something, but no-one is willing to give me a loan. You end up feeling really down and society judges you as a no-hoper."

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, there were 3,300 people aged 18 to 24 claiming Jobseekers' Allowance in April 2008, compared with 6,740 this year.

The proportion of young people out of work has remained steady at around 27% of benefits claimants.

However, the rise in numbers is concerning charities, which claim being unable to find work has a huge impact on younger people. Calls to youth charity The Prince's Trust's for help are up by more than 50% from the start of 2008.

Mir Juma, the charity's regional director, said: "Our region's most vulnerable youngsters will be permanently damaged by the downturn, unless they receive the support they need.

"There are thousands of disadvantaged young people in the East Midlands who are in need of our support and this will only increase unless we help young people into jobs."

Martin Traynor, managing director of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, predicts that by the end of the year, unemployment in Leicestershire will reach 30,000 for the first time since January 1995.

He believes the Government needs to do more to help young people get apprenticeships.

Mr Traynor said: "Lots of companies are not taking people on now because of the economic downturn. And when companies are taking people on, they are looking for people who already have experience.

"The Government needs to respond by encouraging employers to take on apprentices. Far more could be done to subsidise apprenticeships in small companies as well as large ones, to ensure that young people don't stay unemployed for very long."

Universities are stepping up support for graduates in light of the economic downturn.

Students finishing their courses at the University of Leicester this year will benefit from a package of paid placements to provide a talent pool, with graduates gaining work experience within the university. It has launched a "job shop" providing students with supported work experience and advice.

Paul Jackson, the university's director of student support and development, said: "This year may be more challenging than previous years and that is why the University of Leicester is being proactive in advising and supporting students as well as graduates."

The Prince's Trust has now launched a major regional fund-raising campaign, aiming to collect thousands of pounds to help young people into jobs.

The Million Makers challenge will see businesses from across the East Midlands raising cash for the youth charity by setting up their own mini-enterprises.