Shelter Scotland responds to Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) figures showing the number of homes repossessed in the last three months.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, housing and homelessness charity, said: 'These figures show a clear rise in the numbers of homes being repossessed quarter on quarter. While these figures are not broken down for Scotland, there's no reason to believe repossessions are not on the rise here too.

'Behind these figures are thousands of families facing sleepless nights worrying about how to make their next mortgage payment or waking up to the frightening reality of repossession.

'Eviction must always be a last resort. All other avenues must be addressed first before court action is raised. People who find themselves with problems must seek help immediately from organisations like ourselves or other advice bodies.'

Anyone struggling with the cost of their mortgages or with any other housing problem should go to http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/getadvice or call Shelter's free housing advice line on 0808 800 4444.