With Christmas looming, residents are being warned of the dangers of spending more than they can afford and putting their family's welfare at risk.

Lawrence Nasskau (pictured), manager of Redhill, Reigate and Banstead Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB), is keen to get the message across at a time of year that sees parents under pressure to spend money they cannot afford.

Highlighting the problem of debt caused by buying gifts from catalogues, he told the Life: "Often it appears to be a very attractive way of buying things. They quote you very little amounts to pay back per month or week, but the APR tends to be really high much higher than most credit cards.

"It's really not a good way to buy things, but it's understandable when you can do it from your living room and don't have a lot of ready cash."

He urged people to be cautious and contact catalogue companies to find out exactly how much they would be paying, adding: "People can feel left out and excluded if you can't afford to buy presents for other people, but it's not necessarily going to help the people you are buying the presents for if it means you are struggling to buy the things you really need at a later date."

He added: "We'd encourage people to spread their Christmas purchases through the year, and don't spend more than you know you can afford to take out of your weekly budget."

For anyone who feels they need advice, Lawrence suggests trying the CAB's website www.adviceguide.org.uk.

There is also an automated 24-hour telephone advice system on 0870 1264072.