THE news that Abingdon is among Britain’s worst hit towns during the ongoing credit crunch will surprise many.

In the year to January, the Vale saw the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants soar from 416 to 1,029 — a rise of almost 150 per cent. The recession is affecting almost every town and city in the country, with so-called affluent areas like Abingdon and Wantage feeling the impact.

There will be many picking up their dole money who never thought they would be made redundant.