BUSINESS failures in the region have risen drastically.

Receiverships in the North West in the first six months of the year rose by 26 per cent compared with the first half of 1997. And the region fared far worse than any other part of the country for business failures.

"Economic conditions are unlikely to be as helpful or favourable to British industry as they were during 1997," said Mike Seery of accountants KPMG who compiled the figures.

"Business confidence, particularly in the manufacturing sector has all but evaporated and reports of redundancies are beginning to appear more frequently."

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