BOSTON (AP) - Foreclosures in Massachusetts soared nearly 30 percent in October compared to the previous month, but are down slightly when compared to the same month last year.

The Warren Group, a Boston-based publisher of real estate data, reports Thursday that foreclosure deeds, or completed foreclosures, rose to 911 in October from 703 in September but declined 8.5 percent from 996 in October 2008.

Chief executive Timothy Warren says October foreclosures were the third highest of the year, but still well below peak rates during the spring and summer.

So far this year, there have been 7,707 foreclosure deeds statewide, down more than 27 percent from 10,606 in 2008.

Year-to-date foreclosure petitions have jumped 27 percent to 23,931 from 18,844 in 2008.