Peter Nelson is the Legal Services Commission's regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, and here he warns about Christmas debt.

Christmas could break the bank for the more than 6.6 million people already behind on payments. Our campaign this year is asking shoppers to think of the debt they may be racking up before the bills arrive in January.

The Legal Services Commission pays for legal aid, including debt advice, and last year calls for debt help to the Community Legal Service Direct phone line in January doubled the calls logged for December.

In 2006, debt became a more serious problem than ever as households struggled to cope with debt totalling £1.1trillion. That's more than £16,500 worth of debt for every man, woman and child in the UK.

l 6.6 million people reported being three months or more behind with payments on their regular commitments.

l Individuals declaring themselves insolvent have risen 95 per cent l Bankruptcies are up by nearly a third l Home possession orders have jumped 66 per cent and repossessions 47 per cent l The average personal debt of visitors to advice agencies has topped £30,000.

To get the debt message out to people, our staff have volunteered to put Christmas debt prevention posters, Only Santa should be in the red this Christmas', in about 5,000 locations such as pubs, church halls, Christmas markets and job centres.

Our work is fundamental to social and legal justice, and some of the people we help are among the most vulnerable in our society.

It's difficult to avoid expense at this time of year but tackling debt problems early is the key to staying afloat. Keep track of your spending; know how much you owe and if you are in trouble call for help now.

Getting help now can help you avoid bailiffs, eviction and disconnection from utilities in January. Fifty per cent of households with serious debt problems have an annual income of less than £7,500. That means Christmas debt can mean a choice between not eating or having the power cut off when January bills arrive. The commission focuses on improving access to justice, and ensures that best use is made of taxpayers' money.

One man who came to us for help, a pensioner, couldn't afford to eat when his creditors pushed for higher monthly payments on his debts worth more than £30,000. He was threatened with a bailiffs' visit when he told two of his creditors there was no way he could increase payments. He lives in sheltered accommodation and has no assets.

After getting free civil legal aid from the Legal Services Commission, he is back on top of his finances.

The commission is encouraging people to access the help they need if they do find themselves with debt problems.

Community Legal Service Direct can direct people to the best source of information and advice, including a network of local debt advice services. Visit www.clsdirect.org.uk or call 0845 345 4 345.

Callers living on a low income or benefits can speak to one of our specialist telephone debt advisers. They can negotiate with creditors, check a client's financial situation and draw up a programme of reduced payments.