Money worries caused through debt are driving vulnerable people in Argyll and Bute to contemplate suicide, according to a new report.

The dilemma faced by people struggling to make ends meet is highlighted by the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) in its annual report.

The report shows than one in three people seeking help from the Citizens Advice Bureau in Argyll and Bute have difficulty coping with debt.

It says: "People coming to the CAB for advice with debt are often very vulnerable and often report feeling suicidal.

"We help them to put their priority debts first and protect them from losing their home, often including lay representation at court."

The report shows that 38 per cent of people going to the CAB in Argyll and Bute are seeking advice about debt - considerably higher than the figure for Scotland which is just 22 per cent.

The figures come hot on the heels of those supplied by the End Child Poverty Campaign showing that more than one in five children in Helensburgh and Lomond are living in poverty - a situation described as shameful by both Jackie Baillie MSP and Helensburgh Foodbank.

As we reported last week, Foodbank chair Mary McGinley says demand for the foodbank services has never been higher.

The CAB's annual report to the end of March shows that 2,394 clients were helped in Helensburgh.

Debt remains the Bureau’s single biggest request for assistance, with 131 clients - 38 per cent - seeking help in that category.

Ninety two had priority debts (housing, council tax, utilities), while 93 had income of less than £14,500. Sixty-six were tenants of housing associations and 25 were home owners with mortgages.

Some of the actions the CAB took included protecting clients from mortgage repossessions, help with mortgage arrears, court representations to protect tenancies and help with rent arrears and bankruptcies.

Chairman Ian Ritchie said: "It has been another very busy year for the Bureau with an increase in the advice and help that we have given to our fellow citizens.

"There has been considerable effort in applying for grant funding to maintain our operations.

"The general financial climate is reducing our success rate but we are looking forward to the new project funded through ESF/Lottery, Money Skills Argyll, coordinated by Argyll and Bute Council and harnessing the skills of nine partner organisations throughout Argyll and Bute.

Sadly, in February we heard that the funding of £65,000 we had expected for 2017/18 for the Benefits Advice project from the Scottish Legal Aid Board had been cancelled.

"This was due to the timing of the roll out of Universal Credit to Argyll and Bute."

Mr Ritchie said the year had seen another increase in the workload.

However, he added that it had been superbly managed by staff and volunteers with their dedication and awareness of the issues that they are

presented with.

"I thank them very much for their hard work and concern for the people of Argyll and Bute."