THE credit crunch has well and truly bitten in Bury, with three people asking for debt advice every hour, according to figures out this week.

Statistics released by Bury District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) show that 26 people a day who are in the red contact their offices across the borough to get help.

Demand is so high CAB is introducing a new weekly surgery in Whitefield to help crisis-struck families cushion the blows during the financial meltdown.

In all, there were 9,661 debt enquires to Bury CAB in 2008 - 1,747 more than in 2007.

CAB has won more than £700,000 in appeals and new benefits on behalf of its clients in the last 12 months.

With financial forecasters expecting the unemployment rate will top two million by the end of this year, the number of people getting deeper into debt and needing help could grow.

But Bury CAB chief officer Dave Bevitt said his staff are determined to do all they can to offer assistance, starting with the introduction of a weekly session at Besses Children’s Centre, in Ribble Drive, Whitefield, beginning on February 10.

“In the current economic climate we are seeing a huge increase in demand for debt and benefits advice and we believe this new service will be well used by local residents who currently have to travel to Prestwich or Radcliffe for CAB Services. We are very pleased to have this new outreach venue,” said Mr Bevitt.

He added: “Before the credit crunch, we were able to fit people in for debt-related advice appointments within five days.

“At the moment, we are booked up until the end of February. We are doing what we can to help those in need.”

Besses Children's Centre manager Jill Williams said: “We have been working with CAB for a while to get a service in to the centre.

“We think CAB advice can add to the services we already offer. We are keen to work with different partners to provide a full range of activities and support for children and their parents in the area.”

In December, Counter Homes, which owns about 1,000 rented homes in the borough, held a conference to advise staff on how to help tenants in debt.

Joanne McCabe, of Counter Housing, said: “We want to help our residents gain access to services such as bank accounts, safe saving, home contents insurance and affordable loans."

* Appointments for the new Besses CAB centre can be made by calling (0161) 766 9807 or advice can be sought from Bury CAB on 0845 1203757 or by visiting www.adviceguide.org.uk The outreach team offers a general advice service and can refer people to specialists if they need help with debt and benefits.

Sessions are held monthly or fortnightly at Ramsbottom Library, in Carr Street, Ramsbottom; the Asian Women’s Centre, in South Cross Street; the Re:d Centre, in Morley Street; and at Topping Fold Community Library, in Topping Fold Road.

They also take place at Redvales Sure Start, in Dorset Drive; Rebuild, in Tithebarn Street; ADAB, in Heywood Street; Bury Society for Blind & Partially Sighted People, in Bolton Street; the Carers’ Centre, in Silver Street; Springs Housing Office, in Dorset Drive; and at the Seedfield Centre in Parkinson Street.

CAB has permanent bases in Blackburn Street, Radcliffe and Fairfax Road, Prestwich, and can be contacted on 0845 120 3757.