Obama, Romney battle continues at Ohio

Both Presidential candidates have been waiting to discover whether the fresh jobless data will provide a boost to their campaign.

Last month the jobless rate fell from 8.1% to 7.8% and the figures were used by the Obama campaign as evidence that the fragile US economy was finally on the mend. 

But if the figure rises again just four days before the election, it will be seized upon by the Republicans as proof the economy would be safer in the hands of businessman Romney.

Ohio is a key state in determining the outcome of the election.

No Republican candidate for the White House has ever won the election without capturing Ohio.

President Obama is thought to be slightly ahead in the state, which delivers 18 electoral college votes.

As the battleground shifts to Ohio, Obama's campaign has received a boost by scoring the endorsement of New York City's popular mayor Michael Bloomberg .

Both candidates had eagerly sought the backing of Bloomberg, who didn't endorse a presidential candidate in 2008.

Bloomberg, whose city was hard hit by Superstorm Sandy, said the storm had made the stakes of the election even clearer.

The billionaire businessman and former Republican said the climate is changing and that Obama has taken major steps in the right direction.

Climate change has barely been mentioned as an issue during the past few months, but the storm which battered the eastern seaboard has reawakened the debate.