When Christians Against Poverty, the debt counselling charity, first opened its office in Bracknell just more than three years ago, its leaders were not even sure its services would be needed in so comfortable a commuter heartland.

Bracknell, just a few miles from glamorous Ascot and in the heart of Berkshire’s so-called Golden Triangle, does not at first glance appear a community crying out for a charity dedicated to helping people live within their means. Until a year ago, said Andy Jackson, centre director, its clientele was indeed largely single parents and those on at least one income benefit.