THE national media may be awash with stories concerning the state of the economy but it seems Great Yarmouth is bucking the trend.The largest ever survey of businesses across the borough - commissioned by enterpriseGY and carried out by Norwich Business School at the University of East Anglia - reveals the majority of Yarmouth businesses feel confident about getting through the credit crunch.

THE national media may be awash with stories concerning the state of the economy but it seems Great Yarmouth is bucking the trend.

The largest ever survey of businesses across the borough - commissioned by enterpriseGY and carried out by Norwich Business School at the University of East Anglia - reveals the majority of Yarmouth businesses feel confident about getting through the credit crunch. In addition, the strength of the borough economy is highlighted by the number of businesses planning to expand - recruiting a total of 600 new employees over the next 12 months.

Overall, the survey suggests a very resilient backdrop to the borough economy in 2009, contrary to what's happening in many other areas around the UK.

More than 200 companies took part in the survey, which included a questionnaire combined with one-to-one interviews and focus groups. The response represents over 10pc of the Yarmouth workforce and covers a broad range of sectors from leisure and hospitality to retail and manufacturing. Survey findings will be used to inform and shape enterpriseGY's activity.

Full details of the results are due to be released next week.