The UK’s leading debt charity, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, says it is concerned about the high rates of insolvency in Wiltshire where almost 10 per cent of the working population are struggling with their finances.

The service has looked at the recent insolvency figures which show that at 9.3 per cent the number of people taking out Individual Voluntary Arrangements in Wiltshire is higher the national average of 9.1 per cent.

The service is urging people in Wiltshire who are struggling with debt to seek help from a free source of advice as soon as they realise they have a debt problem.

IVAs, which usually consist of affordable monthly payments over 60 or 72 months with creditors then writing off the rest of the debt are one of the solutions that the debt charity can recommend to those it counsels for debt problems.

In order to extend its service to support people through the IVA process, the counselling service has set up a limited company and if there are any profits from the company this will go back to the charity.

On average, clients have 61 per cent of their debt written off and the counselling service has managed to get £35 million written off on behalf of its clients.

Jackie Westerman, an insolvency practitioner with the service, said: “An IVA is one of several solutions for those facing unmanageable debt, and for some people, it is the most appropriate.

“I would urge anyone in Wiltshire who is struggling under a burden of debt to contact the CCCS for free advice. CCCS will assess your situation and recommend a way forward.”

Swindon accountant Rob Harman, a partner in Morris Owen, said the figures may not necessarily be cause for undue concern.

“Without digging further into the figures I don’t read anything too sinister in the Wiltshire percentages leading the national picture,” he said.

“However I do fully agree with the underlying message. It is essential that when someone gets into debt problems they don't bury their heads in the sand.

“Failing to communicate with your creditors will only make matters worse.”

Ring the CCCS free phone helpline on 0800 138 1111 or visit the website at www.cccs.co.uk.