A SURVEY by Sedgefield and District Citizens Advice Bureau has shown consumers need to be better informed when making financial decisions to avoid debt.

The study was carried out against the background of a 100 per cent increase in debt inquiries at the Sedgefield bureau in the past year.

Steve Wakefield, funding and development manager, said some companies took advantage of consumers' lack of financial literacy.

He said: "People are often entering into agreements that are poor value, falling victim to abusive practices or making the situation worse by not knowing how to deal with their debts.

"They also have difficulty in finding the best product or service to meet their needs and don't know how to get or access independent financial advice or take full advantage of tax and benefit systems."

He said: "People are often rushed into agreements, are not told the full facts or are very often misled.

"We would like to see a national strategy to co-ordinate and join up all the different initiatives going on in Government and the public, private and voluntary sectors."

The bureau has two main offices, at Spennymoor Town Hall and Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre. It also has nine outreach stations, which should be the first point of call for anyone needing help with debt problems.