TRANENT'S has been named among one of the worst towns in the country for personal insolvency, according to a report released last week.

The county town placed seventh in the report by debt help website Scotland Debt Solutions, with North Ayrshire town Kilbirnie taking the unwanted number one spot, with 71 cases in the last 12 months.

Tranent fell some way short of that, with 50 new cases – although that figure is still twice the national average of 25 per 10,000 of the adult population.

County MSP Iain Gray admitted that these figures were a concern, and urged anyone struggling with debt to seek help as soon as possible.

He said: “There will be many reasons for this, not least the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and spiralling payday loan and other high-cost credit, which many families have felt forced to turn to.

“Expert help and advice is available from various places, including the local Citizens Advice Bureau, but the best place to start is the National Debtline on 0808 808 4000. The earlier help is sought, the better the chance of avoiding getting into really serious difficulties such as legal action.” The survey, the first of its kind, details the the levels of new personal insolvency cases in Scotland, The town with the fewest new cases was Keith in the north-east, with just eight new cases in the past year.