More borrowers risk losing their home after falling into arrears on mortgage payments, and a growing proportion are unable to reach an agreement with their lender to avoid repossession, according to the latest data on county court actions.

Seasonally adjusted figures released on Friday by the Ministry of Justice showed mortgage possession orders by courts in England and Wales rose 24 per cent to 28,658 in the second quarter of 2008, compared with the same period a year ago.