The figures on those looking for some help come from Transact, which runs 1,200 debt advice centres across the country. Their spokesman, James Elliott, said they were seeing a new type of client.

‘In the past it was almost uniquely people on benefits, people in social housing, who went to debt advice agencies,’ he said. ‘Since the credit crunch started they are seeing a big increase in professional people and homeowners – people who have been pushed over the edge and now can’t cope with their outgoings.

‘These services are being overwhelmed by a whole new breed of debtor – middle-class people. But it means there is now much less debt advice to go round.’

At one time, people who ran up massive credit card bills and overdrafts looked to clear the slate by borrowing more against their homes through remortgaging. But the banks have shut off that escape route with tough new rules on lending to those already carrying big debts.