A CHARITY has found that 3.8 million professionals, including some in the North-East, are living below the poverty line.

In a survey of 10,000 adults, of whom 600 were from the region, the Elizabeth Finn Trust found that people such as teachers, nurses and managers were living on as little as £144 a week.

The charity, which is helping ten people in Darlington with financial problems, said ill-health, redundancy, family breakdown and poor pension provision were among the reasons for falling into poverty.

Its report revealed that a large obstacle to seeking help is pride, with many struggling for at least a year before talking to someone.

According to the charity, the problem is set to grow, with an estimated 11 per cent of the UK's adult population likely to be in poverty by 2020.

Spokeswoman Linda Bates said: "We tend to assume that people such as managers, accountants, teachers and nurses should be able to look after themselves.

"This new research dispels this myth and shows that only when people are in desperate circumstances do they ask for help. We would urge these people to come forward and if we cannot help, we can usually point them in the direction of someone who can."

The trust can be contacted on 0800 413220 or at www.eliz abethfinntrust.org.uk