John Healy, the Government’s housing minister, has launched the second stage of his national Mortgage Help campaign, which will target struggling homeowners who are in ‘repossession hotspots’ with the aim to help them save their homes by taking control of their finances.

There are 22 areas around the UK which have been deemed as having a higher risk of repossessions due to high unemployment figures and the number of court orders for repossessions. They are Barking and Dagenham, Corby, Knowsley, Salford, Newham, Walsall, Redditch, Halton, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester, Bolton, Liverpool, Sunderland, Reading, Wigan, Swindon, Northampton, Kingston-upon-Hull and Cannock Chase.

Healey said: "The worst thing anyone facing money worries can do is bury their head in the sand. Weve seen recent drops in the numbers of repossessions - but I know the threat will remain high throughout next year and I want people to have the help they need.

"Over 300,000 people have benefited from the range of Government support available at every step of the way from free debt advice to help with mortgage interest payments and, for the most vulnerable, the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.

"I want other struggling homeowners to follow in their footsteps, go to our website or make that call to the National Debt line for details of the comprehensive range of support thats available."

You can call the National Debt line free on 0808 808 4000 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp. They offer impartial advice and provide steps and action plans that can be used by concerned homeowners to combat any financial problems.