UNSCRUPULOUS doorstep money lenders could be responsible for a dramatic spike in the number of families struggling with crippling debt.

Bosses at Home-Start Bury, a charity which matches volunteers to families who need extra support, have noticed a 50 per cent increase in the last two years.

There has been a particular rise in the last six months, with 10 Home-Start families asking for help with debt in the last three months alone.

Kate Brookes, scheme manager at Home-Start Bury, said doorstep lenders are targeting Bolton Road estate in Bury, Victoria estate in Whitefield and the George Road area in Ramsbottom at teatime.

She said: “Teatime is one of the busiest times of family life, when parents are trying to make the evening meal, occupy fractious and tired children and for many, deal with colicky babies.

“The pressure and temptation of what seems like a quick fix solution to having little or no money is too much for many families.”

Kate said weekly payment shops, payday loan companies and pawnbrokers, combined with statistics which placed Greater Manchester as fourth worst in the country for child poverty, are contributing to a “melting pot of debt crisis”.

Six weeks ago, a 19-year-old mother-of-one from Bury signed a '£1 per week' contract with a weekly payment retailer for a new washing machine, after hers broke down.

The woman, who has a six-month-old baby, will ultimately have to pay back nearly £2,000 for the basic machine because of the interest on the ‘affordable’ deal.

Kate said that, like doorstep lenders, weekly payment retailers target some of Bury’s most deprived areas with colourful flyers featuring offers.

Three other Home-Start families who took out high interest loans over the festive period are still struggling to pay off debts from two and three Christmases ago, she said.

Kate added: “Over the last few years, life has become much tougher for families due to welfare reform, the recession and an increase in unemployment.

“Unfortunately, unscrupulous payday loan companies have taken advantage of this. They target vulnerable families who are in a financial crisis and who have little option of accessing money elsewhere.

“They are preying on the vulnerable members of our society. That is morally wrong.”

Kate said Home-Start has seen a rise in working poverty, where families are below the poverty line despite both parents being in low-paid employment.

They have also heard reports of parents being employed by lenders to approach other adults in playgrounds and outside school gates to lend money.

New changes enforced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have capped payday loan interest and fees and could forbid adverts being shown on television before the 9pm watershed, but Kate said this is too little too late.

Home-Start is desperate for more volunteers from the borough who can help support families, especially in difficult financial times.

Volunteers are given financial literacy training and help families set up weekly budgets, negotiate debt arrangements and arrange appointments with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and other organisations.

To become a Home-Start Bury volunteer: call 0161 763 6335