Huge numbers of people are making themselves bankrupt across Sussex every year.

New figures show that over the past decade the number of people who have declared themselves bankrupt has soared.

In Brighton and Hove between January and December 2011, the most recent figures available, 26 out of every 10,000 people declared themselves bankrupt and therefore had to obey stringent rules and regulations – but also had all their debts wiped out.

This is fewer than the national average of 26.7.

In 2001/2002 fewer than six out of every 10,000 people had taken the step of declaring bankruptcy – also fewer than the then-national average of 6.6.

Hastings, followed by Crawley, had the most number of people declaring themselves bankrupt.

Between January and December 2011 in Hastings an average of 39.5 people out of 10,000 declared themselves bankrupt. In Crawley this figure was 34.6.

Unsecured debt

The places with the fewest number of people declaring themselves bankrupt were Horsham and Wealden where 20 and 20.2 out of 10,000 declared themselves bankrupt respectively.

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service named the top ten counties for bankruptcy as Essex, Dorset, Somerset, Lincolnshire, Durham, Worcestershire, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.

It said: “Bankruptcy is a form of insolvency, so your unsecured debts need to outweigh your assets, such as property or vehicles, for it to be considered. Unsecured debts include things like credit card debt, personal loans and store cards.

“If you make yourself bankrupt your creditors write off your unsecured debts. This allows you to have a fresh start.

“In England and Wales bankruptcy fees total £700. You pay a £175 fee to the court and £525 to the official receiver. If you have a low income or receive benefits,you may be exempt from the court fee allowing you to go bankrupt for £525.

“UK bankruptcy normally lasts for a year. You cannot borrow any further money and would have to declare any changes within your circumstances to the official receiver during this year. You may be asked to sell valuable assets, but you are able to keep most of the things you need for day-to-day living.

“Making yourself bankrupt requires expert debt advice.”