Fareham'S Citizens Advice Bureau is to close one day a week from next month because of a funding crisis.

The cutbacks to opening hours come as a survey today reveals people in Fareham are more in the red than ever before.

The average household debt across the borough stands at £32,806, more than three times the national average.

CAB manager Penny Alder said the Friday closures were necessary but unfortunate after Hampshire County Council increased the rent at its offices above the town's library.

"The CAB trustees had no other option," she said. "They would not have been acting properly to continue running the bureau at a deficit."

The council has increased the bureau's yearly rent from £6,200 to £7,500.

A spokesman said the rise was the first in eight years and in line with inflation but still below the market rate.

Although the CAB received a £85,280 grant from Fareham Council, it is not enough to cover the extra costs and pay the salaries of eight full and part-time staff members.

With debt problems spiralling out of control across the borough, CAB staff are angry they can no longer provide an important lifeline every weekday.

One in four cases dealt with by Fareham staff last year - 16,086 in total - related to debt problems.

"It's staggering that Fareham figures are so high compared to the national average," said Mrs Alder.

"We don't know why exactly. It's because the cost of living is so high here people often don't have a lot of money left over after paying the mortgage or rent."

But debt is not always a case of people who can't manage their money. Sometimes people lose their jobs, have an accident or suffer a bereavement."

In the survey 48 per cent of the people in Fareham saddled with debt - excluding mortgage repayments - owned their own homes.

Nationally CABs have seen a 47 per cent increase in the number of new consumer credit card debt problems over the last five years.

If you need help with cutting debt call Fareham CAB on 01329 237121 or the national helpline on 0870 1264 058.