This is down on 2009 levels but it’s still dangerously high, especially during the unsettled economic climate.

From Shetland in the north - with the lowest average debt in the UK - to Slough in the south - with an average debt twice Shetland's amount - this data reveals vast differences between UK towns and cities and across regions.

The South East has the highest average debt; the commuter belt around London is suffering hardest. We’ve only highlighted two (Slough and Watford), but of the ten UK postcode areas with the highest average debt, nine are in London/South East (perhaps surprisingly Crewe in Cheshire makes up the ten).

This map doesn’t show relative amount of debt to income, which would tilt the data towards highlighting the poorer areas of inner cities. Instead it shows that there is a perilously-high amount of unsecured debt in the Home Counties.

Free debt advice

If you are worried about your credit card debt, personal loans or bill repayments, make sure you get free, impartial debt advice today. Contact us via our online debt counselling service, CCCS Debt Remedy, for an instant assessment of your situation, tailored advice and a personal budget.

Debt Remedy will also recommend the most appropriate debt solution for your problem and, should a debt management plan, debt relief order or IVA be the best way forward for you, we can arrange one of these for you.