A NEW service has been launched to help people in the Hambleton district who have been hit hard by the recessions.

The debt advice service has been set up where a specialist can offer free, independent and impartial advice.

The district council is working with Broadacres Housing Association, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Housing Advice Resource Project to provide the service.

And a dedicated helpline has been set up where options can be discussed with a specialist worker who can also arrange for callers to access partner organisations for support and assistance.

"We are seeing more and more people becoming increasingly worried about how they can afford to make ends meet," said benefits manager Sue Grant.

"Higher prices for food and fuel charges, rising unemployment, reduction in working hours due to the current economic recession are having an impact on people’s everyday living expenses."

She added: "This partnership will link together a range of specialist advice skills from money and debt advice, welfare benefits advice, employment law and housing services including homelessness."

The advice line - 01845 525303 - will be staffed from 10am to 4pm on Mondays, 10am to 8pm on Thursdays, 10am to 1pm on Fridays and 10am to noon on Saturdays.

At other times callers will be able to leave details on an answer machine.