A MENTAL health organisation in York has created a comic book to warn people of the dangers of borrowing from loan sharks.

York Mind and local artist Andy Hurst designed the shark-themed comic book to raises awareness of the dangers of borrowing from illegal money lenders, with the help of a number of young service users over the last four months.

In the Jaws of a Loan Shark was commissioned by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), using £4,000 of proceeds of crime money.

Rab Ferguson, young peoples’ coordinator at York Mind, said: “They really took on board the message about the dangers of loan sharks, and were excited to create a comic that would be able to spread awareness of the issue.

“The young people enjoyed working with the comic book artist and the work they designed was very impressive – showcasing their talent both in drawing and writing.”

The book is available at stoploansharks.uk and printed copies of the book are available at Citizens Advice, York Advocacy, Castlegate for Young People, schools, colleges and universities.

To report a loan shark, phone 0300 555 2222 or go to stoploansharks.uk

For more information about York Mind, go to yorkmind.org.uk