The strain put on families by personal debt is pushing many to crisis point, leading debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) warned today.

Research conducted by the charity amongst its clients found that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of all clients said that debt caused their relationship to break down.

In a worrying development, 67 per cent also confessed that they had missed meals to make debt repayments and nearly a quarter (22 per cent) did so regularly - evidence that increasing numbers of families are sacrificing food for the sake of paying bills.

The psychological toll on families and individuals was also highlighted, as over half (53 per cent) of all respondents said the financial strain of being in debt caused arguments and stress with their partner and 69 per cent had visited the GP due to debt-related stress.

Furthermore, 40 per cent have also been prescribed medication by their doctor as a result of debt-related stress, as the negative consequences of a life spent struggling to make repayments continue to become more apparent.

Matt Barlow, head of CAP UK, said: "Our latest findings are truly shocking, highlighting the trauma that many families in debt face on a day-to-day basis.

"Our results provide strong evidence that families and couples across the UK are being pushed to breaking point and beyond, with many not eating properly, taking medication and splitting up as they can no longer cope."

Personal debt in the UK now sits at a record high of £1.4 trillion and the award-winning charity, which operates through a national network of debt counselling centres, has also recently launched a free money management course, CAP Money, across the UK to enable people to get a better grip on their finances.

Mr Barlow continued: "Whilst these statistics paint a very negative picture and it would be tempting to think that there is no solution, we believe that our unique and holistic approach to debt counselling provides people with hope and a genuine and proven opportunity to become debt free."

Using its successful combination of practical and sustainable financial solutions to debt, coupled with sensitivity to individual and personal needs, CAP gives clients the opportunity to become debt free in five years through its specialist debt counselling service.

With a dedicated CAP account offered to all clients (from which the charity administers debt repayments) and a specialist insolvency service, the negative consequences of debt are being reversed from Aberdeen down to Truro.

"Through our national network of 68 CAP centres, we aim to give hope to all those broken by debt by providing sustainable and practical solutions to enable them to become debt free in five years," said Mr Barlow.

"Our recently-launched CAP Money course is also an effective tool for people wanting to regain some control over their spending and we would urge anyone concerned about their personal finances to contact us."