DESPITE a homeless charity saying Fenland homeowners at are at a high risk of losing their houses, the district council saved more than 150 families from living on the streets.

Shelter revealed that Fenland homeowners are the most at risk of losing their houses in Cambridgeshire and 13th nationally.

Last year 185 homes were given possession orders but Fenland District Council, with the help of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB), Roddons, and the Ferry Project, stepped in to save 158 families from losing their homes.

A council spokesman said: “One particularly successful service that we support is the Court Desk scheme run through the CAB, whereby people faced with imminent repossession are accompanied to court and helped to negotiate affordable payment plans with the lender.”

Fenland’s drop in unemployment, from 3.7 percent to 3.6 percent in the past year, contradicts the strong link shown in the research between unemployment and possession order rates.

The council spokesman said: “The fall in unemployment does seem to show that there is not necessarily a direct link between unemployment and the number of repossessions.

“Fenland has comparatively low wages - and that can be a problem at a time of rising inflation and wage freezes.

“Also, we have a comparatively high number of older people and they may well be among the repossessions - nothing to do with losing their jobs.”

A Shelter spokesman said: “Just because you are given a possession order does not mean you will definitely lose your home. The important thing to do when you get a possession order is seek advice and seek that advice as early as possible.”

Corby, in the East Midlands, was the most at risk, Cambridge was one of the least at risk in the country whilst Peterborough came 27th in the national league table.

CONTACT: To get advice in you are served with a possession order visit www.shelter.org.uk or call 0808 800 4444 for free.