It has been revealed that Scots are drowning in credit card debt, as new figures showed that the average credit card bill rises to nearly £6,600.

As a result, the average Scot owes £6,598 on credit cards and loans. This is up £1,649 since April. The study worryingly displayed that Scots are also the least likely in the UK to share their debt troubles, opting to keep their financial secret a struggle, with 79% not telling their partners.

The survey also revealed that 64% of Scots do not have an effective ‘pay back plan’ to clear their debts.

Scotland has the third highest average level of credit card debt in Great Britain, after the east of England on £6,608 and the north-west on £7,417.

As a result, experts have called on credit-card firms to be more responsible in lending, in order to prevent debts spinning further out of control.

Gary Forrest - CEO of Guardian Financial Group said: “The shocking increase in average levels of personal debt is taking its toll. Over half of adults in the UK with these debts report being actively worried. Some are losing sleep. And only 23 per cent have told their partner about their debts.”

He added that credit companies must change their lending habits: "We call on credit companies to be much more responsible lenders. Putting up interest rates is definitely not the way to go about it! Average credit-card rates have increased disproportionately over the last six months.”