THE CHRISTMAS clock has begun ticking as we near the 100 day countdown to the festive day.

It will tick over to double figures until the big day on Tuesday and the North Oxon Citizens Advice group are urging people to starting thinking now about money.

The group said now is the time to consider how they're going to pay for presents, food and drink.

Figures from Citizens Advice show, on average, families have a festive spend of £500 - 67 per cent spent on presents, 22 per cent on food and drink, eight per cent on travel and three per cent on decorations.

Citizen Advice North Oxon chief executive officer Pat Coomber-Wood said: "Christmas should be a time of enjoyment and not a time to be filled with concerns about finances.

"Planning ahead and sticking to a budget will prevent overspending and ensure that you start the next year debt free."

The group is working with a local credit union Harvest Money to help promote their safe loans.

Harvest Money is owned by its members. regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and with no shareholders it offers loans at lower rates.

Citizens Advice is calling on people to be careful about the festive loans they use, and says saving each month now could help over the expensive holiday.

For more information on Harvest Money go online to harvestmoney.co.uk, or to speak with someone about money during the festive holidays contact the Citizens Advice in North Oxfordshire.