THE North West is the country's blackspot for business failures.
The region was the only one which saw company collapses rising in 1997, according to new figures.
Statistics show 153 North West firms went into receivership last year compared with 143 in 1996. Nationally there was a 15 per cent fall over the same period.
Manufacturing firms bore the brunt of failures in the North West.
And there was a warning about further risks for the region's companies in 1998 from Peter Terry of accountants KPMG who compiled the survey.
"Any further increase in interest rates will have an immediate effect on those companies which export. Companies in the manufacturing sector which rely on exports or compete against imported products will be most at risk," said Mr Terry.
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