DEBT-laden residents in Burnley and Pendle will be offered free help from a charity opening a new base.

Growing debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has partnered with Wheatley Lane Inghamite Church in Fence and other local churches to bring its service to the area.

It is one of 15 new centres being opened by CAP this month in a bid to help households weighed down by debt in the UK.

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Lorraine Sprowell, Burnley and Pendle centre manager, said: “The church has always been about offering hope and we're really pleased to be able to give a tried-and-tested route out of debt alongside other great free debt advice in the area like Citizens Advice.

“There is a lot in the Bible about looking after the poorest. In our society, a lot of poverty is debt-related so our congregation has been working hard to open a CAP centre to help get people back on track.”

The charity will be based at the Living Hope Church, in Brierfield, but at the moment they will be carrying out visits at home.

Lorraine said: “People can ring our central office in Bradford and they will arrange an appointment for us to go and see them. When we recruit more volunteers, we hope we will be able to run a drop-in session.”

After the initial visit, the charity does all the negotiating with creditors and local volunteers offer support to each person face-to-face until the day they are debt free.

Lorraine added: “Typically, debts can build up when a relationship breaks down, or someone loses their job, or through bereavement – so often when people are least able to cope with a financial headache.

“We’re just so pleased to be able to partner the care of our church with the financial expertise of CAP.”

To find out more call 0800 328 0006.