More gloom and doom for the UK economy

It is official - the UK is in its longest recession ever. Well, since records began in the 1950s anyway.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) revealed that UK GDP dropped by 0.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2009, compared with a decrease of 0.6 per cent in Q2

It is the first time the economy has contracted for six consecutive quarters since 1955 -the year records began.

Blame for the drop has been mainly attributed to the UK's service sector decline, with distribution, catering and hotels sectors putting in a particuarly weak performance.

It hardly fills you with glee does it?

The year is nearly over. I don't think many of us will forget it in a hurry.