BUSINESS failures in Yorkshire fell by 19 per cent in August, according to the latest statistics published by professional services firm Deloitte & Touche.

The total number of receiverships and administration appointments in Yorkshire and Humberside fell to 16 in the month from July 19. Nationally, the number of receiverships dropped by over 32 per cent to 116 from 154 the previous month.

Angus Martin, reorganisation services partner in the Yorkshire office of Deloitte & Touche, said: "These figures are encouraging following the 137 per cent rise in business failures in July, but the drop in the regional total is still lower than the national figure, implying that the Yorkshire economy may be facing tougher times than the UK as a whole.

"The recent events in the US make the global showdown more likely."