Shelter has called on the Government to stop newly nationalised banks repossessing homes unless absolutely necessary, after research by ROOF magazine found that Northern Rock's repossessions are on the increase.

Shelter says the Government, which now has a stake in more than 40% of the mortgage market, has a moral duty to ensure hard up homeowners are given every opportunity to stay in their homes rather than being made homeless.

The call comes after research by Shelter's ROOF magazine found that Northern Rock's repossessions have risen massively in the first six months of this year compared to the previous six months.

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Northern Rock's Half Yearly Results show that at 30 June 2008 properties in possession totalled 3,710 compared with 2,215 at the end of 2007 - a rise of 68%.

The document, on Northern Rock's website, states the "increase is in line with the Company's policy of rapid movement towards recovery where it is clear the borrower will not maintain payments".

Shelter Chief Executive Adam Sampson said: "There is no doubt the Government has inherited some of the riskiest mortgages through the newly nationalised banks and building societies.

"However it seems a bit perverse that ministers who a few months ago were lecturing lenders about their responsibility towards homeowners in arrears are now allowing companies that are state owned to repossess peoples' homes so aggressively.

"It is ironic if ministers were now presiding over some of the most aggressive repossession policy in the market."

(CD/JM)