Many parts of Britain are suffering a repossessions crisis - with the number of homes at risk at its highest level since the 1990s slump.
The number of court cases launched to take back homes was 39,078 in the second three months of the year, the highest figure since 1992.
And the courts granted 28,568 repossession orders, an increase around 25 per cent up on the same period last year. The figure for actions launched was up 95 per cent in Salisbury, 75 per cent in Buxton, 71 per cent in Stafford and 60 per cent here in Winchester.
The court cases do not automatically lead to a family losing their home, but can act as a threat to ensure debtors pay up.
Prospective Conservative MP for Winchester, Steve Brine (pictured) said; “This is intensely worrying and confirms in Winchester the trend we are now seeing across the country. For too long, the banks egged on by one Gordon Brown, have fed unsustainable borrowing and a 'pay later' culture which now leaves hard-working families paying for this Government's economic incompetence and the fact the Prime Minister didn't put money aside during the good times to prepare for a rainy day.
"I fear the news that economic growth has also ground to a halt for the first time since 1992 points to challenging times ahead. That is deeply worrying for those of us in Winchester who are already struggling to make ends meet."