A charity is urging candidates contesting the seat of Hammersmith in next month’s general election to tackle the problem of debt.

New figures released by National Debtline reveal it has received 636 calls from people within the constituency since 2013.

The figure puts Hammersmith in the top 30% in Great Britain and above the national average.

Now the Money Advice Trust, the charity which runs the helpline, wants free debt advice to be promoted.

Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the trust, which also runs Business Debtline, said: “Whoever is elected as MP for Hammersmith on May 7 needs to put promoting free debt advice in the area near the top of their to-do list after the general election.

“While National Debtline has given more than 600 advice sessions to people in Hammersmith in the last two years, we know that potentially thousands more are suffering in silence.

“MPs can play a crucial role in the fight against problem debt – not only by directing people who come to them for help to the free advice they need, but also through raising awareness of services such as National Debtline in the local community.

“Our message to anyone in Hammersmith who is struggling to cope with problem debt is simple: seek free advice from a debt charity such as National Debtline as soon as possible.

“The earlier you seek advice, the quicker and easier the problem will be to solve.”

National Debtline offers free advice on 0808 808 4000 or www.nationaldebtline.org. Its sister service Business Debtline can be contacted on 0800 197 6026 or www.businessdebtline.org.