A NEW debt advice information card has been published.

The launch was marked last week with the release of balloons outside Richmond Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB).

The card includes telephone numbers of organisations that can help people manage their debt.

It was produced by Richmondshire Debt Taskgroup and will be available in shops, banks, pubs, libraries and doctors' surgeries.

The taskgroup includes representatives from Richmonshire District Council and North Yorkshire County Council, the Ministry of Defence and the CAB.

Angie House, Richmondshire CAB manager, said: "Since April 2004, Richmondshire CAB has dealt with almost £1m of debt.

"This is just the tip of the local iceberg.

"However, it is not an unmanageable problem and we are here to help.

"The secret is to talk about it and not bury our heads in the sand."

Call the CAB on (01748) 823862 for free advice on managing debt.