Loan shark danger in Bognor Regis

The poll was carried out to make people around the Pevensey ward aware of the better options available if they have money problems.

It also gave the Safer Arun Partnership '“ which carried out the door-to-door survey with trading standards officers and the West Sussex Credit Union '“ a chance to find out the social and financial issues which affect residents in the area.

Credit union operational manager Anthony Deveson said the poor economic conditions would see more people in the county suffer from poor credit ratings through repossessions or county court judgments.

"Once that happens, they will be refused credit almost everywhere and are likely to go on to borrow from an illegal source or loan shark with typical interest rates of 100 per cent," he said.

Such a move was likely to be very expensive and dangerous as well. The credit union offers loans and free advice and help on budgeting, benefits and better deals on energy.