A groundbreaking scheme aimed at stopping youngsters taking on crippling debt is being launched on Monday at a Northumberland school.
Debtcred, a national drive to tackle the dangers of borrowing, is being piloted at Ashington High School.
Organisers say debt is a massive problem and it is important to show teenagers how to live within their means when they leave school.
Barclays Bank has supported the pilot scheme initiated by the county council.
'Literacy pack'
Northumberland community safety coordinator Stuart Douglass said: "One of the problems is that people don't realise the extent of their spending until they are already way out of their depth.
"This has led some young people to desperate measures, like loan sharks or illegal activities.
"We have had a great deal of interest from schools across the county and will be training key agencies who work with people so that the initiative can roll out across the county."
The initiative is being launched by the High Sheriff of Northumberland, Susan Burnell, who said it will hopefully prevent young people from falling into problems with high interest rates.
She added: "I am delighted that this scheme is being extended in Northumberland. In partnership with the county council I hope to secure funding for a financial literacy pack for all school leavers.
"The pressure on young people to be consumers is great, especially when credit is so easily available."
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