A new analysis of the recession has highlighted a part of Northern Ireland as being among the hardest hit areas of the UK.

The survey, by BBC Radio 4's World at One programme reveals the local authority areas suffering the biggest jobs' downturn.

The three highest percentage rises are in the same parts of Northern Ireland - Magherafelt, Dungannon and Cookstown - all in Mid Ulster.

"These three areas have had relatively low levels of unemployment so the sharp rise in unemployment is coming from a very low base," said Richard Ramsey, Northern Ireland economist at Ulster Bank.

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"If you look at the Magherafelt and Cookstown areas in particular, they have a large exposure to the construction sector and Northern Ireland as a whole has a larger exposure to the construction sector than any other UK region," he said.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Ramsey said: "Within Northern Ireland it's these areas in Mid Ulster that have the highest concentrations of construction. So given the housing market downturn, it is not surprising that these areas have been hit hardest."

The figures examine the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in January compared with the level in January 2008.

Topping the poll is Magherafelt at 186%, followed by Dungannon at 161% and Cookstown at 149%.

The BBC used figures from the Office for National Statistics, Northern Ireland and the Department of Enterprise Trade & Investment.

See: Unemployment Set To Break Two Million Mark

(BMcC/JM)