2 million Brits `covered mortgage or rent with credit cards`

Research by Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, has found that around 2 million people used credit cards to cover their mortgage or rent payments in the 12 months to August 2010 - an increase of almost 50% in a year.

The East Midlands were particularly badly affected, with around a tenth (202,000) hailing from this region. The figure represents around 6% of households in the area, compared with less than 1% who reported similar difficulty in November 2009.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, commented: "This research brings into sharp focus how keeping a roof over their head has become a daily struggle for thousands across the East Midlands.

"Already someone faces the nightmare of losing their home every two minutes, and we would urge every single one of these people now relying on credit to keep their home to seek advice urgently."

An expert at debt management company Gregory Pennington said: "We`d advise anyone struggling to afford their housing costs to avoid credit altogether, and get expert help instead.

"Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to do in such a serious situation, and this can lead people to attempt to put off the problem by borrowing more money. But this could well make the problem even worse in the long run, because that debt will also have to be paid back.

"An expert adviser can help them make an informed decision on how to tackle the problem, and if necessary they can also point them in the direction of an appropriate debt solution."

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Gregory Pennington offer debt advice and debt management plans, as well as a range of other debt solutions. If you are worried about debt, contact one of our expert debt advisers now.