WORRYING new figures have shown that more people in South Ribble are experiencing problems with debt than ever before.

A survey by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB) in England and Wales has shown that Chorley and South Ribble Citizens Advice Bureau received 2,048 new debt enquiries between April 2000 and 2001.

In addition to this, the bureau dealt with 4,274 enquiries concerning ongoing cases of consumer debt.

Although the Chorley Citizens Advice Bureau has long been established, the service was only extended to include the whole of South Ribble in December 2000.

The high number of new inquiries is reflected in findings from the NACAB survey.

Ben Aspinall, district manager for Chorley and South Ribble Citizens Advice Bureau, said: "We have certainly seen the uplift in numbers and this is demonstrated in Chorley and South Ribble.

"Between April 2000 and 2001 we dealt with 6,322 debt enquiries overall. Within our services there has been a 22 per cent increase in outstanding debt per client, which is partly contributed to by borrowing for consumer goods, such as cars and holidays, which more often than not are financed by loans"

"Only one in three people cited overspending as the problem.

"One of the things we try to tackle is people taking out credit to pay off credit. It is not only borrowers that have a responsibility to ensure they can manage any credit they take, lenders also have a responsibility to be completely honest and upfront about repayments and interest, and not lend when they know people may have difficulty paying it back."

A consultation with Chorley and South Ribble Citizens Advice Bureau is free and confidential and only impartial advice is given.

Mr Aspinall said: "Our priority is a roof over people's heads and utilities such as heating and lighting. We also aim to make sure people keep up payments on any legal taxes they are liable for, for example council tax."

You can make an appointment with South Ribble Citizen Advice Bureau by calling 01772 424282, by logging on to www.adviceguide.org.uk or by calling in at the offices on Towngate, Leyland.