A CHARITY that helps people deal with debt is celebrating the first birthday of its North Yorkshire base.

Staff at the Christians Against Poverty Debt Counselling Centre say they have helped more people than they ever expected.

The centre, based in New Life Baptist Church, in High Street, Northallerton, offers counselling, practical services and financial education to families and individuals throughout Hambleton and Richmondshire.

The service is free of charge and available to everyone. Staff visit people at home to work out a budget which prioritises food and essential bills, such as rent and council tax and any disposable income is fairly distributed between other debts, such as credit cards and loans.

The centre opened on May 16, last year, and in just under a year staff have helped more than 40 families find a solution to debt problems.

"Three of those families are now completely debt free," said centre manager Susan Robinson.

"A lot of the debts we deal with are unsecured debts, including credit cards, catalogues and bank loans. People have either over-committed themselves or had a change in life circumstances where they have either become ill or their marriage has broken down," she said.

"We knew there was a need in the area - getting people to come along and take advantage is a different matter. We have certainly taken on more families than we anticipated in the first year."

The centre is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 9.15am and 5.15pm.