NEARLY one in seven adults lies awake at night worrying about money, with the average person losing 11 nights of sleep a year, according to a new study.

A survey commissioned by StepChange Debt Charity found 690,000 Scots have difficulty sleeping because of financial matters, and this has an impact on their day-to-day lives, affecting concentration, relationships and working lives.

The research showed that a lack of savings, rising household bills and debt problems were the most significant barriers to getting a good night's sleep.

The charity blamed the fragility of household finances for the concerns as it launched a campaign Need to Sleep to encourage people to recognise the impact long-term sleeplessness is having on their lives and health and to urge them to tackle the root cause by sorting out their money problems.

In the survey, 61 per cent of people in Britain said money problems affected their ability to concentrate, 32 per cent said it limited their ability to work, 29 per cent said it undermined their relationship with a partner or spouse, and 28 per cent said relations with friends and family suffered.

And 34 per cent said lying awake left them feeling lonely.

Asked about different types of money worries, those surveyed said debt (27 per cent), paying bills (49 per cent) and a lack of savings (63 per cent) were to blame.

Sharon Bell, head of StepChange Debt Charity Scotland, said: "There is a solution to every money problem so nobody should feel they must struggle on alone - there is no shame in seeking help."