More than 3,900 families faced losing their homes in the Black Country and Staffordshire last year, latest Government figures reveal.

The highest numbers of people taken to court by mortgage lenders or landlords were in Walsall and Wolverhampton. Figures released by the Ministry for Justice show how many possession orders were granted by county courts in 2011.

Unemployment levels and rising fuel and food costs led to people falling behind on their mortgage or rent payments.

There were 1,325 mortgage and landlord possession orders made at Walsall County Court and 1,195 at Wolverhampton.

In Dudley, 405 mortgage and 535 landlord orders were made and in Staffordshire 350 were granted.

There smallest number was in Kidderminster where there were 60 landlord and 25 mortgage orders.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders has recorded that across the country 36,200 properties were repossessed by mortgage lenders. It fears families will continue to struggle and has predicted the situation will get worse throughout 2012, forecasting that around 45,000 repossessions will take place this year. Director general Paul

Smee said: “Low interest rates and good arrears management by lenders are helping the vast majority of those borrowers who face difficulties to keep their homes and get back on track.

“This will continue, but in the face of wider economic difficulties and rising unemployment, we are concerned that there will be a higher number of people facing more serious problems in 2012.

“Anyone worried about their finances should talk to their mortgage lender and take advice on their other debts as soon as possible.”