Nearly one in three adults are concerned about their ability to manage their personal debt as the onset of recession piles on the financial pressure, according to research from MoneyExpert.com.

And despite the economic slowdown hitting household finances across the country, 27 per cent of those owing money have gone further into the red in the last three months, the independent financial comparison website says.

Around four per cent – equivalent to nearly 1.8 million people – have increased their debts by more than 20 per cent in just three months.

The research shows 17 per cent of people have been able to decrease their debt exposure with 27 per cent keeping their debt levels constant.

Sean Gardner, director of MoneyExpert.com, said: "Household finances are feeling the strain across the board with people struggling to keep their heads above water.

"It is extremely worrying that so many people are concerned about managing their debts. Nothing is so stark as a reminder that many of us are struggling to repay the money we owe.

"The Bank of England has slashed interest rates and the Government has bailed out the banks but there are few signs that the cost of borrowing is falling. There may be light at the end of the tunnel but for too many of us it seems the light is a train coming down the tracks."

The research reveals that those likely to have recently got onto the housing ladder – those between the ages of 25 and 44 – are most likely to be concerned about their ability to repay their debt.

Around 37 per cent of people in this age bracket described themselves as either concerned or very concerned about their debt burden.