POOLE and Bournemouth boast two of the highest levels of bankruptcy for any UK town or city, the latest shock study has revealed.

Figures show Poole has an unenviable 22.4 bankruptcies per 10,000 adults, the third highest rate of Britain’s 50 largest towns and cities, with Bournemouth fairing only slightly better in fourth place with 22.1.

Only Hull, with 26.6 bankruptcies per 10,000, and Plymouth, with 26, have been harder hit.

The study, compiled by accountancy group Wilkins Kennedy, revealed Britain’s coastal communities have suffered disproportionately, compared to inland towns and cities, in the economic downturn.

The national UK insolvency average between Jan 2008 and Jan 2009 was 15.7 bankruptcies per 10,000 adults.

Seven of the 10 worst rated towns and cities were either seaside holiday towns or maritime and shipbuilding centres.

Bournemouth’s highest profile bankrupt is businessman Richard Carr, whose Future 3000 and Ravine Lifestyle companies went into administration last July.

Mr Carr was declared personally bankrupt weeks later.

But it’s not only big businessmen bearing the brunt – Poole Citizens Advice Bureau manager Richard Bristow said: “We see a lot of ordinary people with personal bankruptcy issues in the current climate.

“We are seeing people who have been sole traders or small business holders, whose personal debts have got mixed up with their business debts and bankruptcy is a way out for them.

“We have seen people who have been self-employed fishermen working out of Poole Harbour – their businesses have failed, they may have been unable to secure additional credit to do repairs on boats, for example.

“They’ve been squeezed out by the banks, which has effectively brought their businesses to an end.”

Mr Bristow, who deals with cash-strapped residents across the conurbation, said his office had also dealt with a number of guest house owners who have suffered a drop in trade.

“In one of these cases the chap thought that if he could just get through until Easter, when Tourism picks up again, he’d be OK. But the banks refused to lend him money.”

Meanwhile Poole Tourism manager Graham Richardson, who maintains contact with numerous hotels and holiday parks, said he was surprised by the figures.

He added: “I’m sure these numbers don’t relate just to the tourism product with the town.”

Poole and District Chamber of Trade chairman Jeff Allen said: “I’m surprised by the figures – but the story for the small businessman is that the government is absolutely caning us because of massive rises in business rates.”