THE number of debt inquiries taken by Sedgefield and District Citizens' Advice Bureau has doubled during the past year.
This contributed to an increase in the total number of inquiries, to 30,927 in the past 12 months - a 23 per cent rise.
The service had expected an increase during the year because it has provided two specialist money advice workers, funded through the Community Fund and Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
Steve Wakefield, funding and development manager, said: "We knew we would be busy in this advice giving area - but not to this extent.
"We have dealt with over 13,000 debt inquiries in the year, and provided hope to some clients who are lost for where to go next.
"All the advice we provide is free, which is particularly important for clients."
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