What would be the best solution to clear my debt?

Ned

ok, so i went and spoke to someone at the local lloydstsb branch. he was pushing me towards the 5k loan @ about 11% over 5 years, compared to the 22.9% im currently paying on my credit card. he recommends i'd pay back 1k immediately, which would bring it down to 4k over 4 years (plus interest, obviously). I'd be paying 105 a month, which i repeatedly told him i could not afford at the moment.

I said i wasnt too happy with getting a loan, and i'd rather the bank either stopped the interest temporarily or i'd seek the advice of the debt helplines. He said i'd need to ring the credit card company (which is lloydstsb) if i want to discuss stopping the interest. He also said if I use a debt management company it can ruin my credit rating and make it impossible to get any sort of credit for 7 years. i was under the impression getting help from the debt management places wouldnt affect your rating too much- definitely not for as long as 7 years! whereas he seemed to think my credit rating could be fixed in a matter of months if i get the loan and use a credit card sensibly (ie. spending and paying off about 50 a month).

I dont want a 5 year loan, thats out of the question. Although the guy at lloydstsb did make it sound quite appealing, but i think thats mostly down to the relief i would feel having got rid of my credit card debt, even if its swapped with another debt..