Telford & Wrekin is one of the worst places in the West Midlands for home repossessions, new figures revealed today.

According to the homeless charity Shelter, there were 625 repossession claims in the borough between October 2010 and September this year – nine homes in every thousand. The figures put the borough 10th in a league table of West Midlands council areas for eviction risk.

Struggling homeowners are now being urged to seek help before they lose their home.

Wolverhampton has the highest risk of repossession, followed by Birmingham and Sandwell.

Shelter analysed the risk of eviction by a landlord or mortgage lender in local authorities across England and found that areas with high unemployment tend to be hit hardest by high eviction rates.

In the time covered by the report, there were 21,190 possession claims made on homes across the region.

Nationally, rates of possession claims are so high that every two minutes in Britain someone faces losing their home and nearly one out of every 100 households faces the threat of eviction.

The report also found that repossession was a predominantly urban problem, with 96 per cent of the areas with the highest repossession rates being described as urban.

The 12 boroughs where homes are most at risk are all in London.

Shelter chief executive Campbell Robb said: “As Christmas approaches, this research paints a frightening picture of thousands of families in the West Midlands living every day with the fear of losing their home hanging over their heads.

“It’s sobering to see that so many communities are blighted by the risk of eviction.

“Shelter research shows that a third of people are already struggling with their housing costs or falling behind on payments.

“In these unforgiving conditions, it only takes one thing – illness, job loss or relationship breakdown – to lead to things spiralling out of control and into homelessness.

“It’s vital that anyone struggling with housing costs seeks help immediately to give them the best chance of keeping their home,” added Mr Robb.

“This Christmas, we’re asking people to help us stop lives from being torn apart by homelessness.”

By Ann Clarkson