One of the most deprived areas in Bradford has come in the top 20 of a national league of debt.

Residents living in the BD5 postcode area, which includes Little Horton and the West and East Bowling areas, suffer from acute 'debt stress' according to the Consumer Credit Counselling Service.

The CCCS drew up its postcode league of debt levels after measuring people's debt in relation to their income levels and ranking them accordingly.

Bradford came 15th in the table with Scarborough, Harrogate and north Hull all in the top 20.

Frances Walker, a CCCS spokesman, said: "Debt stress isn't about how much people owe but how much they owe compared to their income.

"The information we collected was based on 10,000 people who contacted us between 1997 and 1999.

"We found that a key time for falling into serious debt was when people reached their late 20s and early 30s and started to over-stretch themselves to get things like a mortgage.

"Our message is: don't ignore the problem, it's only going to get worse. You must talk to somebody and talk to your creditors."

The research was carried out by the charity which gives free advice to people who are trapped in debt.

It comes in the wake of the biggest shake-up of consumer credit laws by the Government to clamp down on loan sharks and put a stop to irresponsible lending.

Contact the CCCS on 0800 138 1111 between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday.