Post-Christmas pinch sets helplines ringing

DESPERATE families and tenants left out of pocket after Christmas havebegun contacting helplines and support groups looking for help.

Threshold, the national housing agency, says calls to its centre have increased sharply in recent days with the arrival of a cold snap.

From December to the end of January, between 1,500 and 2,000 people will have called its helpline with concerns ranging from worries over inadequate heating systems and problems with landlords addressing them to tenants facing arrears after the festive period.