The number of people declaring themselves bankrupt in Sussex has risen by 21 per cent, according to new figures.

There were 359 cases of bankruptcy from July to September this year compared with 297 cases in the same period last year.

In total, 951 people declared themselves bankrupt in the first nine months of this year compared to 742 people in the first three quarters of 2004.

Brighton remains the region's bankruptcy hotspot with 260 people declaring themselves bankrupt this quarter, compared to 200 in the same quarter last year.

Meanwhile, separate figures released by the DTI show personal insolvency rates in the UK have reached an all-time high.

In the year to September 30, there were a record 43,606 bankruptcies and 16,496 individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs), a common alternative to bankruptcy.

Tuesday, November 8, 2005