http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4621002.stm
"The financial hangover from Christmas has begun to take its toll with record numbers ringing debt helplines.
Both the Citizens Advice Bureau and Consumer Credit Counselling Service have said their debt advice lines have had more calls than normal for January.
National Debtline has had 12,000 calls since 3 January - making it the busiest month since it was set up in 1987.
The group put the surge down to more public awareness that help is available rather than a jump in debt levels.
"Calls are certainly up and we are taking on another 25 staff, " National Debtline spokesman Richard Gale said.
Mounting bills
He added that calls to the group usually rose following the Christmas period as people began to take stock of their spending.
The average caller to the service owed between £5,000 and £15,000, he added.
",
Milan.
"The financial hangover from Christmas has begun to take its toll with record numbers ringing debt helplines.
Both the Citizens Advice Bureau and Consumer Credit Counselling Service have said their debt advice lines have had more calls than normal for January.
National Debtline has had 12,000 calls since 3 January - making it the busiest month since it was set up in 1987.
The group put the surge down to more public awareness that help is available rather than a jump in debt levels.
"Calls are certainly up and we are taking on another 25 staff, " National Debtline spokesman Richard Gale said.
Mounting bills
He added that calls to the group usually rose following the Christmas period as people began to take stock of their spending.
The average caller to the service owed between £5,000 and £15,000, he added.
",
Milan.
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