A RECORD number of people contacted a debt charity during 2010.

But in a third of cases the caller’s finances were so dire they could not be helped, new research shows.

Lancashire Debt Advice Foundation, based in Darwen, warned people not to spend more than they could afford.

Last year 2,808 people became insolvent in Lancashire through bankruptcy or IVAs, compared to 2,712 in 2009.

The charity’s research, which investigated why people are struggling with debt, pinpointed love-splits as the top cause, with other factors such as unemployment, illness, a growing family, alcohol problems and gambling all ranking lower.

Managing director David Rodger said: “A relationship breakdown can have a major financial impact.

"If the couple has been cohabiting there’s the cost of new living arrangements to consider.”