AVERAGE pay in the South-West fell by nearly £300 in real terms last year, according to figures published this week.

The TUC claimed UK workers as a whole have endured the longest wage squeeze since records began in the 1850s.

The figures were released to mark the beginning of Fair Pay Fortnight which runs from February 16 to March 1.

TUC South West regional secretary Nigel Costle, said: “Despite growth returning, 2014 was another miserable year for living standards in the South-West.”