A Welsh homelessness charity has expressed concern that repossessions and mortgage arrears are causing many people to suffer uncertainty this new year.

Shelter Cymru has expressed concern that Wales is experiencing proportionally more court actions by lenders than the rest of Britain.

It has also stated that many people are failing to seek advice at the beginning of their financial difficulties but leaving it until they have no other choice but to seek help.

"What is really worrying is that over 70 per cent of the households who seek help are already facing or have actually gone through possession proceedings. The earlier people get advice the better the chances of being able to save their homes," the charity explained.

Last year, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors predicted that 2008 would see repossessions rising from 30,000 to 45,000.

However, it highlighted that such levels will not be close to the "high water-mark" of the early 1990s, when repossessions approached 80,000.