FAMILIES living in an unemployment blackspot are on their way to running up record debts of more than £1m.

A second money advice specialist is being recruited by Middlesbrough Council to help cope with the ever-increasing tide of debt misery.

Trading standards group leader John Wells said: "All we can do - and it is incumbent on us - is to provide the best possible service we can provide. We will use the capabilities of the new advice officer to the fullest capacity and still I suspect there will be a need for more.''

From April 1 up to last week, the council's money advice service tried to help residents overhelmed with a total debt of £780,000. Residents have been turning up for advice with carrier bags full of bills.

Helen Carter, the council's money advice service officer, said: "There is high unemployment in Middlesbrough. One of the highest causes of debt problem is unemployment.

"They are in work paying credit debt, keeping up with their credit, paying the gas and water and their situation changes. There are a lot of people who are in temporary jobs. They think they can meet all their commitments, then the job finishes and they cannot pay.''

She said few people are in debt because they are over-extended. Most people who turn to the council service for help do so because their personal circumstances have changed.

Mrs Clarke said: "We have another 20 weeks to the financial year end, so we will probably hit £1.4m by April.''

The money advice service has won a Legal Services Commission Specialist Quality Mark in consumer and debt advice - the highest category achievable. The award means the council has been able to win funding from the commission to employ another financial advice officer.

Councillor Ron Lowes said: "Most impressively, we are the first local authority consumer or money advice service in the country to be granted a specialist status, making us true national leaders.''

Mr Wells said the award was the result of a great deal of dedication and hard work from council officers