Britain's leading debt charity, the Foundation for Credit Counselling, reports a 25 percent surge in the number of advice calls received in the first fortnight of 2004 compared with the same period last year.

This represents a considerable hike over the charity's natural growth forecast of 15 percent.

According to FCC chairman, Malcolm Hurlston, the growth in demand reflects the strong media emphasis on the dangers of debt around the Christmas period. Normally post-Christmas demand takes a full two weeks to kick in.

"What we are seeing", he said "is people reacting more quickly than normal to the danger signals and that can only be good. I doubt if there is any upsurge in overindebtedness as such.

"Current levels of debt and the vicissitudes of life are bound to leave hundreds of thousands in difficulty. It is our aim to reach them all with the message that they should seek early help and that, if they have the desire to repay, their creditors will treat themwell."

This year FCC will be encouraging all leading lenders to comply with the full spirit of their codes.