NEWPORT-born Hollywood actor Michael Sheen is backing a campaign to increase awareness of the benefits of using credit unions.

Mr Sheen is lending his weight to the Say No to Debt Row campaign, which aims to highlight the issues of debt in Wales.

Mr Sheen, who became Patron of Credit Unions of Wales in September this year, said: “According to the Money Advice Trust, a third of 18 to 24-year-olds in the UK have debts of almost £3,000.

“Every penny paid, in unnecessarily high interest charges, is money leaving our local communities. The alternative of credit unions helps us keep that money in your community and invests in better local support and products to help us all in managing our personal finances.”

The campaign , which is attracting cross-party political support, is focusing on the risk of high-interest loans and promoting credit unions as a viable alternative to other types of lending.

Manager of Newport Credit Union Kieron Dineen said: “In the run up to the major shopping season of the year, when many families come under significant financial pressure, this campaign aims to highlight that there are alternatives to high-interest lenders.”This is the second year that Credit Unions of Wales have run the Say No to Debt Row campaign. People can pledge their commitment to Say No to Debt Row by posting selfies with the hashtag #nodebtrow on social media.

For more information about the campaign, visit creditunionsofwales.co.uk