Debt advisers are urging people not to bury their heads in the sand after research revealed more than half the people in the district overspent at Christmas.

According to the JobCentre Plus poll, 55 per cent of people in Yorkshire and the Humber spend more than they can afford and are now struggling to make ends meet.

The area which struggled the most was the north east, with 61 per cent struggling with London statistically being the most prepared with 50 per cent of people planning ahead.

Heather Choudhary, a specialist debt adviser for Bradford Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), said: "The first wave of people contacting us about debt is towards the end of January and February, when the credit card bills start coming through."

She said the number of people who visit CAB with debt-related problems at that time of year usually doubles.

Mrs Choudhary said: "The first piece of advice we give is for people not to panic and not to bury their heads in the sand."

"There is plenty of free debt advice out there. Don't be tempted by television adverts, because there are often additional fees to pay."

"Debt is never just about owing money, it's connected to bereavement, employment or relationship break-ups.

"When people are in debt they feel full of shame and out of control. People need to be reassured that when they come to the bureau they aren't going to be judged.

"We look at the situation and try to let them empower the situation again, so they can make informed choices."

In 2007 879 people were declared personally bankrupt when they appeared at Bradford County Court. In 2006 the figure was 843 and in 2005 it was 671.

Mrs Choudhary, who has worked at Bradford CAB for seven years, said a few years ago a serious customer debt would be between £20,000 and £25,000.

Now the debt advisors are not surprised when couples or individuals are in debt to the tune of £40,000 or £45,000.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP), a debt-counselling service in Bradford, offers advice to people from its office in East Bowling, Bradford.

Matt Barlow, Christians Against Poverty chief executive officer for the UK, said: "Christmas is undoubtedly a time of overspending for many people across the UK and this statistic supports the testimony of many clients we have helped over the past.

"Our advice to anyone who has got into financial difficulty over the festive period is not to panic and seek additional credit or loans to cover their debts."

For more information contact Bradford CAB Telephone Advice line on 0845 1202 909 or go to one of the drop in sessions at its office at Broadacre House, Vicar Lane, Bradford. For advice from CAP contact (01274) 736 006.

The spending survey was conducted by JobCentre Plus between November and December last year and involved interviews with 5,000 people using its website.