Citizens Advice says rising energy costs and inflation could mean a tough time ahead.

Citizens Advice is urging islanders to look at their finances now and make contact if they're in debt or heading that way.

CEO Kerry Ciotti says for those on benefits or low incomes, it is likely to be a tough winter, and ignoring the problem will only make it worse:

"We want people to not bury their troubles and their debts and to face them and come and get help so that we can try and find a way forward for them."

Citizens Advice CEO Kerry Ciotti

Both gas and electricity prices have risen, although there is no energy price cap in Guernsey so the increases haven't been as dramatic as they have in Britain.

But Kerry Ciotti says after a long, hot summer, winter fuel bills will come as a shock:

"It could be very tough. It's an expensive place to live Guernsey, and the costs have increased already and the interest rates are going up. It's only going to get harder and affect more people."

Citizens Advice currently help islanders manage debts of around £3M each year and Kerry Ciotti says their money advice service is free and confidential:

"Our trained Money Advisers are non-judgemental and fully focussed on how to help a client, rather than how their problems arose, and nothing is ever done without their agreement. Booking that first appointment with a Money Adviser is the key step towards taking control of their debt."

She says talking for free is better than panicking and taking out new loans:

"We certainly don't want people taking out consolidation loans as this will increase their interest payments and put their debt on themselves for many, many years."