PEOPLE struggling with overwhelming debt are set to get free help after an acclaimed charity announced that it is opening a new centre in Saffron Walden.

Growing debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has partnered with new Life Church in the town to bring an “in-depth service” to the area.

The centre is one of 16 opening up around the country – rare good news for people who are seeing a big squeeze on their income.

CAP offers a service to people with spiralling personal debt. Every client is visited in their own home and supported face-to-face until the day they are debt free.

Chief executive Matt Barlow said: “Our experience shows that there will be a huge amount of people in Saffron Walden who believe there is no hope left. Very likely their debt will have been caused by a change in circumstances such as job loss, pay cuts, illness or relationship breakdown.

“Creditors will be ringing all day, the letters will be piling up and their sleep, health and relationships will all be suffering. Yet all this is often hidden because of the shame attached.”

Saffron Walden centre manager Sarah Blackaby said: “We are just so pleased to be able to partner the care of our church with the financial expertise of CAP’s head office in Bradford.

“However bad a situation can look, we know we will be able provide a hope and a solution. CAP saw 71 people become debt free last month. We’re delighted to think some of those will be from Saffron Walden in the future.”

The charity has 160 centres around the UK currently supporting �66m of secondary debts for its clients regardless of income, age, gender, background or faith.

• To find out more capuk.org or call 0800 328 0006.