BRADFORD has been ranked as the fifth biggest “repossession hotspot” in the UK, new figures have revealed.

The district has the highest number of mortgage repossession claims in West Yorkshire, and is second behind only Middlesbrough - which has the highest rate in the UK - in Yorkshire.

The information, revealed in reports published by the Ministry of Justice, shows in Bradford in the last six months there were 41.4 mortgage repossession claims made per 100,000 households.

Bradford trailed behind only Middlesbrough with 44.3 claims, Oldham and Rossendale in Lancashire with 43.6 and 42.8 claims, respectively, and Thurrock in Scotland with 43.2.

The only other area in Yorkshire to make the top 20 is Redcar and Cleveland in North Yorkshire, with 34.6 claims.

The figures also showed mortgage repossession claims have risen by six per cent and mortgage repossession orders have risen by 26 per cent in the last six months.

Mortgage arrears is also the biggest source of debt for UK homeowners.

According to debt charity StepChange, 31 per cent of households struggle with mortgage arrears, while 24 per cent have concerns over water bills, 22 per cent over rent, and 21 per cent over hire purchases.

Robby du Toit, managing director of Sellhousefast.uk, which analysed the figures, said: “The prospect of repossession is daunting, and rightly so.

“Every year, it is expected 100,000 families in the UK will lose their homes to missed mortgage repayments.

“However, it is important to remember there are resources that can provide guidance, help and comfort relative to your circumstance, should you face a possession claim or order.”

Rachel Gregory, external affair analyst at Christians Against Poverty, said: “More and more we are seeing people across the UK struggling financially and falling behind on household bills.

“When financial pressures lead to mortgage and rent arrears it can put homes at risk and cause lots of anxiety.

“Bradford is an area of high deprivation, so it’s not surprising that we have a high concentration of people facing debt problems and repossessions, but this doesn’t need to be that way.

“Almost half of people who come to CAP have rent or mortgage arrears so being honest about your finances is important.

“At CAP we have lots of free services which help people avoid and deal with debt problems.”

At the other end of the scale, the Isles of Scilly, Ryedale, Rutland and Tewkesbury were found to have no mortgage repossession claims, followed by Cambridge with 1.9 claims, South Northamptonshire with 2.6, and Islington with 2.7.