A free event to help York residents "Beat the Credit Crunch" is being held at the Guildhall, York between 11am and 6pm on Tuesday 9 December.

A typical family spends money on mortgage, rent, gas, electricity, water, food, telephone bills, child care, furniture, travel, TV and entertainment, clothes, cigarettes, alcohol and socialising.

The 'Beat the Credit Crunch' event, which has been organised by City of York Council, in conjunction with BBC Radio York, has been designed to give people information, advice, tips and hints to help reduce all these outgoings as well as making sure that they are in receipt of the correct benefits and tax credits to which they are entitled.

At the event there will be representatives from a host of organisations including the Council, Department for Work and pensions (DWP), the Citizen's Advice Bureau
 

HARP, the Energy Saving Trust, York Credit Union, Affordable nappies, Mediation services, Re-Cycle cycles, York toy library, Allotments and York Rotters, Future Prospects, Credit Consumer Counselling Services, Family Matters, York Alcohol Advice Service, Smoking Cessation and York College Hair and Beauty among others.

There will also be a fashion show of affordable clothing at 3pm and again at 5pm and food tastings of cheap, homemade healthy food accompanied by free recipe booklets.