DEBT misery will mar Christmas for countless families across the North-East.

Determined to make this Yuletide special, hundreds of people have embarked on a spending spree - all of it on credit.

Council officials in Middlesbrough are warning shoppers to think twice before signing credit agreements, as figures show local people have run up £1.5m of credit debt.

Middlesbrough Borough Council is the second Teesside authority within days to warn people to watch their spending.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's consumer-money advice line is advising people struggling with debts totalling £798,0000. The average debt per client is £7,200, the average single debt, £1,400.

Chief trading standards officer Jeff Bell warned: "Don't ruin your future with too many buy now, pay later schemes.''

Helen Clarke, of Middlesbrough council's money advice service, said: "Since April, we've dealt with debt worth almost £1.5m, and taken on 242 new cases.

"That shows the extent of the problem people are facing, and our message to them is not to ignore their situation. Face up to it, and help us help you."

The council's tips are: don't panic, seek advice, prepare a family budget, talk to the people you owe money to, and agree to repayments that you can afford.