Students who don’t know their credit from their debit are getting lessons on how to deal with money.

The Citizens Advice Bureau in Maidstone is running 100 classes at schools across the county for pupils aged 11 to 16.

It is said to be the number one issue they deal with every day - with 18 to 25-year-olds clocking up an average of £15,000 of debt.

Joanne Bumpsted, who runs the courses, said: "We see a lot of younger people taking on their first financial contract and getting immediately into problems as they haven’t understood exactly what they’re taking on board."

Students will cover a range of topics including budgeting skills, credit and the costs of borrowing.

Mrs Bumpsted added: "It’s a tough money world out there for all of us now and being inexperienced is an extra to add into the mix so I think it’s a key time to maybe re-think how they approach their money."

The sessions are free thanks to a £22,000 donation from Britannia, part of The Co-operative Banking Group.

For more information on the classes, phone Dave Jackson, project manager at Maidstone CAB on 07714 311 008.