A NEW bid is being launched to try and stem the increasing number of people getting themselves into debt.

Worcestershire County Council joined forces with the Office of Fair Trading to promote a 'Keep Debt Under Control' campaign as part of National Consumer Week, which began on Monday.

In Malvern last year, 4,500 people made enquiries to the Citizens Advice Bureau for help with debt problems and the amount of national consumer debt has now reached over £700 billion.

While mailshots for credit cards and bank loans proliferate, people are being warned to think carefully before spending.

Liz Pusey, Malvern CAB manager, said: "Debt is the biggest area of problems we have to deal with in Malvern."

She said of the 4,500 who approached them with debt problems, 1,000 were concerned about rent and mortgage areas and utility debts while 3,000 were related to consumer debts concerning credit and store cards, loans and overdrafts.

"We would warn people to really think very carefully before they take out a credit agreement or use credit cards," she said.

"It's so easy to use plastic, it doesn't seem like spending and you can run up very large debts before you have any idea what you have done.

"If you do find yourself getting into difficulty, get help quickly. At the CAB we don't judge people. It's quite difficult to go to a complete stranger to admit you have got yourself into difficulties but if people feel a problem looming early on we can help."

The Malvern branch of CAB can be contacted on 01684 563611 or the National Debtline on 0808 808 4000. The Consumer Credit Counselling Service is available on 0800 138 1111 and the Direct Debt Line is on 01323 481 1111.