London, May 25 (IANS) Cases of suicide have risen by 15 percent since Britain plunged into recession, official figures reveal.

Coroners courts concluded that 3,471 people had taken their own lives last year, a rise of 15 percent compared to 2007, Daily Mail reported Friday.

Even in more affluent London and the Home Counties, large swathes of the region have seen suicide cases soar.

Experts and campaigners blamed sky-high rates of unemployment, home repossessions and personal bankruptcy for the grim toll.

And they warned that the bleak economic outlook could see the trend worsen.