A BUSINESSWOMAN is keen to offer financial advice to residents of her hometown after being alarmed by last week's Star report about St Helens' spiralling debt problems.

Eccleston-based Carol Galvin, who manages the Skipton Building Society in Southport, has 20 years' experience in the financial industry. After reading how St Helens Citizens Advice Bureau is having to turn away customers with debt problems she said: "With debt now a part of everyday life, it's tragic that the Citizens Advice bureau is forced to turn away people who desperately need help - especially when they are to be commended for proactively trying to take control of the situation.

"In an effort to support the sterling work of the CAB, I'd like to offer those people the chance to speak to me instead - before their debt worsens.

"One option is to remortgage, either to gain equity from a lower interest rate or to release cash from the value of a home. Alternatively, many people can benefit from simply merging their loans into one place to reduce payments."

The Star reported last week how since October 124 clients, with a combined debt of more than £1million had sought help from the local CAB.

Many of these clients had amassed debt because of credit cards and the bureau reckons poor understanding of finances contributes to the problems.

Mrs Galvin, 43, added: "I agree fully with the CAB that education is key to stopping this problem worsening and going into colleges is a step towards this.

"However, as the original article pointed out debt is happening across all age groups and so older people need to learn too."

l People can reach Carol either by visiting the branch (London Street, Southport) or calling on 01704 53613.