FIGURES have shed light on the number of people in Barrow who have become insolvent after falling into debt.

More than a thousand people in the Barrow borough area have fallen into money trouble according to the latest figures.

Over a five-year period more than 1,200 people were registered as insolvent.

The figures, released by the Office of National Statistics, focus on 2013 to 2017.

People can apply can become insolvent through individual insolvency arrangements, debt relief orders or bankruptcy.

Breaking down by council ward, Hindpool saw the largest number of people becoming insolvent with 170.

The second worst area was Barrow Central with 156.

In third place was Walney North with 100 cases.

Hindpool councillor Dave Pidduck said: "It's quite worrying.

"When you look at deprivation and poverty it's often Hindpool that comes up along with Barrow Central and Ormsgill.

"When you talk about insolvencies you are talking about a huge effect on children and families.

"They are suffering as a result.

"We need to make sure we are doing things to support them and help them when they are in need."

The council ward of Hawcoat recorded the lowest figure with six.

The second lowest was Roosecote with 24.

The year 2017 marked a five-year high for insolvency with the figure at 288.

Two years earlier in 2017 was the lowest for that period with 194 recorded.

Bankruptcy has a long-term effect on a person’s life and disqualifies them from being a company director or borrowing more than £500 without telling the lender about their bankruptcy.

A debt relief order, for people with debts under £20,000 and few assets, prevents creditors recovering their money without permission from a court.

The borrower is usually discharged from their debts after 12 months.

Barrow mayor Kevin Hamilton last year blamed people falling into debt on Universal Credit and advised people to seek support from the local authority.