Regional jobs could soon come under threat due to the credit crunch, according to economists.

Consultancy Oxford Economics told news agency Thomson Reuters that jobs in banking, banking-related services, construction, retail and car sales were most at risk.

Chester, Bournemouth and Calderdale were named among the regions that could be most affected.

Neil Gibson, director of regional services at Oxford Economics, said: "When many people think of the credit crunch they automatically think of the City of London and Canary Wharf.

"But, while these centres are undoubtedly vulnerable, many parts of the country are now heavily reliant on financial services."
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