BURNLEY has been named among the boroughs most vulnerable to ‘economic shock’ in a new survey.

The research by Experian has identified areas across the country most vulnerable to problems including business failures and job losses.

The study said factors like high crime, the poor school achievement and low house prices all contribute to Burnley being the least resilient place.

Out of English 324 local authorities, Burnley was ranked 314th for resilience.

Pendle was 305th, Hyndburn 301st, Blackburn with Darwen 273rd, and Rossendale 242.

The findings come only weeks before the coalition Government unveils its Comprehensive Spending Review.

Bruno Rost, from Experian, said: "Whilst business strength and economic growth are important factors, consideration of other, wider aspects of local resilience gives a greater understanding of the ability of an area to bounce back."

The research, commissioned by the BBC, was the subject of a North West Tonight debate on BBC1 last night.

Outlining some of the key findings, BBC political correspondent Mark Denton, said: “They are not a predictor of where cuts will go, but are an indication of which areas will be the most resilient to cuts and most able to cope."

Most resilient

1 Elmbridge
2 St Albans
3 Waverley
4 Richmond upon Thames
5 Mole Valley
6 Hart
7 Horsham
8 Surrey Heath
9 Chiltern
10 South Cambridgeshire.

Least resilient

314 Burnley
315 Walsall
316 Hartlepool
317 Ashfield
318 Barrow-in-Furness
319 Redcar and Cleveland
320 Kingston upon Hull, City of
321 Sandwell
322 Stoke-on-Trent
323 Mansfield
324 Middlesbrough.