ALMOST eight in 10 adults in Britain will start the new year in debt, according to research published today.

Most worryingly, much of the debt has been run up to cover everyday living expenses such as food and heating, the study by consumer finance website money.co.uk found.

Topping the debt list are residents of Edinburgh, where the average debt is £18,641, followed by Birmingham (£10,921), London (£10,410) and Newcastle (£10,007).