Payday loans 'rising in popularity'

Many people are considering loans to see them through the month.

Payday loans are an increasingly popular option for those who are struggling to get through a full month without financial help.

Una Farrell, a spokeswoman at the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, warns there will be "a lot more people needing debt advice" in the next year or two due to this trend.

She says many individuals opt for multiple personal loans to top up their current accounts, rather than just one, which may be a cause for concern because it can be difficult to manage several types of debt.

Interest can rise quickly on payday loans, particularly if a person owes money to numerous bodies, so Ms Farrell warns it is important to keep on top of this issue.

Martin Bamford, chartered financial planner at Informed Choice, recently warned this option must be considered as a last resort because they can be "ridiculously expensive" and advised exhausting all other options first.

By Joe Letts