Northern Ireland had the highest levels of bankruptcy recommendations in the UK last year, according to national debt charity the Consumer Credit Counselling Service.

Statistics for 2010 revealed that clients from NI had the lowest amount of disposable income, with just £55 less than they need to cover the cost of their living expenses.

Bankruptcy was recommended to almost 13% of local clients, while individual voluntary arrangements (IVA) were recommended 7.8% - both UK highs.

Delroy Corinaldi, CCCS External Affairs Director, said: "Although anyone, whatever their background, age and location, can struggle with debt, there are parts of the country where people debt problems appear to be more intractable.

"These debt cluster areas such as Northern Ireland need special attention in terms of helping prevent people from falling into unmanageable debt but also ensuring that those living in these areas are aware of the free debt advice and support that is available to them.

"They also need to be made aware that, given CCCS's capacity on its helpline and online debt counselling, there is no need for anyone to pay for debt advice."

London was identified by the group as another hotspot for debt. Alongside Northern Ireland, those were the only two regions in the UK where CCCS clients, on average, didn't have enough income to cover their living expenses.

I was up there a few times. I lived in belfast for a month doing a stats course during my PhD, and the area around Queens is nice. Some other areas, not so much.