SQUEEZED households in York are struggling to make ends meet, according to new figures from a leading debt advice charity.

Figures from the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) show that York residents contacting the charity for help last year were an average of £11 short of the amount needed to cover their basic living expenses, much less debt repayments, each month. The charity is warning that many are at risk of falling into serious debt.

A total of 792 people in the York area contacted the CCCS helpline in 2011 for advice on dealing with credit cards, store cards, payday loans and other kinds of unsecured debt. On average they owed £18,162 - above the UK average of £17,983.

The city’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) said the figures backed up their experiences.

CAB debt worker Kevin Butler said: “We have as high a demand now as we have ever had and we do all we can to help. What we have found is that until a few years ago the typical client was someone on a low income, someone not working or a single person with children. But for the last couple of years the people coming in have gone up the social scale. We now see more professionals, couples that are both working with families. People who have jobs are really struggling.

“In the vast majority of cases it’s because of a change in circumstances but there’s a sizeable minority of people who may be don’t work as many hours or have had cuts in overtime and that coupled with the rise in living costs have now tipped them over the edge.”

Delroy Corinaldi, CCCS director of external affairs, said: "Households in York are under relentless pressure from a combination of low wage growth and the rising cost of living. As the financial squeeze continues to tighten, many more people in York are at risk of falling into serious debt.

“FThe most important step you can take is to seek free advice as soon as you start to fall behind."

CCCS provides free and confidential debt advice at 0800 138 1111 and anonymous online debt counselling tool, CCCS Debt Remedy, at www.cccs.co.uk To contact York CAB call 08444 111444, visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or visit drop in sessions at Blossom Street on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9.30am - midday.