A charity is urging small businesses across Hertfordshire to seek free advice if they are struggling to cope with their debts.

The warning, from the Money Advice Debtline, the charity which runs the Business Debtline, comes after new figures showed the struggles facing many businesses across Hertsmere.

Throughout 2013, there were a total of 760 ‘business deaths’ – or de-registrations - in the borough, according to the Office of National Statistics.

At the same time, 1,025 businesses were created – however around 20 per cent of all new businesses do not survive to see their second year.

Chief executive Joanna Elson said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy in Hertfordshire and across the UK as a whole.

“With more and more people becoming self-employed, the need for free, independent advice to help small business owners who fall into financial difficulty has never been greater.”

Small business owners in Hertfordshire can find out more at www.businessdebtline.org or by calling Business Debtline on 0800 197 6026.