The figures come from the city's Citizens Advice Bureau who have been inundated with calls for help since they reopened in the new year.
Money Advice Supervisor Rosemary McCormick said there has been no decrease in the levels of debt people are presenting with and claimed many people are suicidal with unmanageable money problems.

"The figures are still worryingly high," the finance expert said.

"We're still looking at the main problems being store cards, credit cards and overdrafts but the one big difference this year is the increase in the cost of living. We're seeing an increase in the prices of things like gas and electricity and everything has a knock on effect.
She added: "People are still living way beyond their means when it comes to Christmas and buying childrens toys. It also emerged this year that there has been a 14 per cent increase in the cost of the average Christmas lunch."

Ms. Wilkinson added: "People are still struggling with loans. We've discovered that one doorstep lender was posting flyers in Derry offering loans with interest rates of 183%.

"Credit card companies are also offering personal cheque books which is a very easy way to get into debt.The result we're seeing is people who feel they have used all their options and are suicidal at the thought of the amount of money they owe. That's still a factor."

Welcoming the fact that some companies are now less keen to give credit, the Derry based money advisor said the national 'credit crunch' would mean a big change in the borrowing culture here.

"Credit is good within boundaries," she said. "What we've seen over recent years has been terrible and the problem has gotten out of hand because it's been so easy to borrow. People will find it difficult when that system changes which it gradually is."

She advised people to come forward with all their debt troubles:
She said: "We would hope that people would approach us with their problems because no debt issue is irresolvable. People often think there's no point in going on and this is not the case."

The Citizens Advice Bureau's debtline can be contacted at 02871 370337.