Guides get recession survival advice

Guiding's Guide to Managing Money in the Credit Crunch and Guiding's Guide to Street Safety are the first two guides being launched by the organisation.

Tips in the credit crunch guide include avoiding store cards and cutting down on café visits, while street safety advice includes avoiding using mobile phones and MP3 players when walking home.

The topics have been chosen by teenage girls following a consultation in which 93 per cent wanted more advice on money management.

Among organisations involved in the project is the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which contributed to the street safety guide.

Future guides will include advice on tackling bullying, with input from the Mental Health Foundation and Kidscape.

Denise King, chief executive of Girlguiding UK said: "These guides are intended to give girls confidence in dealing with issues they have voiced concern about, helping them to understand and overcome any potential hazards."