Repossession hotspot

New research by a homelessness charity shows Rochdale Borough is in the top ten reposession hotspots.

Shelter's "Repossession Risk Hotspots" used the latest figures for 2011/12 to show where people faced losing their homes around the country.

Across the UK home repossession levels are said to be "stable" when compared with last year.

Studies to measure repossession levels are usually based on possession orders - a legal order granted by a court for someone such as a bank or other lender to take possession of a property if the person living there does not keep up with mortgage payments.

But for the first time Shelter looked at possession claims - applications by lenders to the courts to take possession of a house which is the first step in obtaining a possession order.

The charity said it took this approach to provide earlier indications of areas where high levels of people are at risk of losing their homes.

Also in the top 10 in the North West are Knowsley, Rossendale, Blackpool and Burnley.