PERSONAL debt in Oxford is at crisis levels, a charity warned last night.

New figures show the number of people in the city able to repay their debts has fallen to a five-year low, with more residents asking for advice.

Last night, one debt advice centre said there is a “real problem” in Oxford.

Information from the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) shows only 200 of the people in the city had enough spare income to begin a repayment plan in 2010, down from 246 in 2005.

It also revealed that 783 people called its helpline last year, compared to 527 in 2005.

Charity director Delroy Corinaldi urged people struggling with debt not to pay firms who offer to sort out their finances.

He said: “The picture is undoubtedly bleak and it seems likely that many more families, including better-off ones, will be increasingly prone to over-indebtedness in the months ahead.

“It is also not a uniform picture across the country – public sector cuts in terms of jobs, spending and benefits will weigh disproportionately on certain groups of people.

“I would urge anyone in Oxford struggling to repay their debts to seek help from a charity such as us who can provide free advice and support.”

Mr Corinaldi added: “We are worried that vulnerable people may use fee-charging advice companies in an attempt to solve their problem, which will only exacerbate the problem.”

In January, the Oxford Mail revealed how hundreds more people in Blackbird Leys were facing the estate’s worst debt crisis in almost 30 years.

Increasing numbers of people have been using the Agnes Smith Advice Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, owing thousands of pounds in rent, bills and unpaid council tax.

Deputy manager Laura Wilson said: “There is a real problem with debt here.

“Some people come into the centre in such a muddle, because they owe so much money to so many firms and it has got too much for them.

“People are missing rent and council tax payments because otherwise they won’t have enough money for food.

“It is a downward spiral and very difficult for people to get out of.”

The free CCCS helpline 0800 1381111 is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, or lopg on to cccs.co.uk