REDBRIDGE would be one of the worst affected boroughs in the capital if free debt advice was no longer available, according to a new report.

People seeking advice from the charity Capitalise in Redbridge have an average debt of £11,498, which they have to manage on an average monthly income of £750 - less than a third of the London average income.

And the ‘Up to Our Necks in it’ report finds that personal debt in the borough is deeper, more widespread, complex and urgent since the recession with creditors are being more aggressive in recovering payment.

Susan Ziane, of Fitzgerald Road, Wanstead, lives with her two children and husband in a cramped one bedroom flat and says she is in desperate need of financial advice.

She said: "As a family we have about £20,000 worth of debt including my husbands business loans plus credit cards and everything.

"It causes a lot of stress on us as a family and we are unable to get an appointment with the citizens advice bureau as they are absolutely inundated.

"We've tried to get an appointment with every advice centre going but they are all swamped and it's even more stressful with two young children in a one-bedroom flat with no hope of being moved."

An increase in the volume and complexity of cases seen by advisors means that people now have to wait up to seven weeks for advice, leaving many residents suffering alone.

Deputy Mayor of London Richard Barnes said: "This report shows the real impact of the recession on the lives of ordinary Londoners, with many now facing high levels of debt.

"The Mayor launched his Economic Recovery Action Plan to support the capital's businesses and Londoners through these tough times."

Capitalise spokesman Graham Fisher said: “We’re calling for an integrated approach between local and central government and the voluntary sector in order to tackle the increase in personal debt caused by the recession, and more intervention where creditors are acting unreasonably."