MORE than 50 Colchester-based charities have folded since the economic crisis hit in 2007.

The figures, obtained from the Charity Commission, show 51 organisations have been taken off the charity register since the recession hit.

The statistics also show schools’ friends groups and women’s institutes have suffered as much as mainstream charities.

In 2007/08, six charities came off the register, including Layer-de-la-Haye Women’s Institute and Colchester Mencap Hospitals League of Friends.

The following year, Colchester Mencap and the Friends of Greenstead Infant School were among the six charities which no longer appeared on the register.

In 2009/10, 16 charities came of the list, including the Colchester Rape Crisis Line and the Colchester Support Group for Dyslexics and Families.

In 2010/11, eight groups came off the register, including the Colchester Arts Forum and the Edge Wivenhoe Trust.

Last year, in 2011/12, seven came off the register, including Colchester Crossroads, West Mersea Women’s Institute and Colchester Volunteer centre.

A Charity Commission spokeswoman said: “While the figures may seem large, they should be balanced against the number of charities which have started in Colchester in the same period.”

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