Bedford Borough Council has opened a help desk at a court in a drive to prevent homelessness.

The council has set up the facility in partnership with national homelessness charity Shelter.

The desk, based in Bedford County Court, was opened thanks to a £10,000 Government grant.

Dawn Parker, housing needs manager at Bedford Borough Council, said: "The opening of a court desk is very timely in view of the recent upward trend in mortgage repossessions due to such factors as the credit crunch and rising mortgage interest rates.

"More and more households are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up their mortgage repayments.

"The court desk will provide invaluable support to homeowners who are faced with the threat of eviction due to mortgage arrears."

"The service of a housing specialist will be available in the court on the day of repossession hearings, free of charge, and could make the difference to a family keeping their home or losing the roof over their head."

The council's housing team said anyone under threat of losing their home should act quickly.

It says keeping up with mortgage payments should be a top priority, and advises residents to avoid delays if payment problems continue and avoid waiting until debt becomes unmanageable.