The number of firms that went bankrupt in the first three months of 2011 dropped by 13% compared with the year-earlier period, according to figures released by Dun & Bradstreet on Wednesday.

The reduction, to a total of 1,648, is visible in all sectors with the exception of hospitality where the number rose by 28% to 95 establishments.
The biggest fall was in March (25%), followed by February (9%) and January (2%), said Dun & Bradstreet.