Medway is among the worst places in the South East for repossession orders.

New research released today by housing charity Shelter show it ranks alongside Swale as a hotspot for owners at risk of losing their homes through defaulting on their mortgages.

Only Slough fares worse than Medway in the repossession stakes, according to the research.

They are also listed in the top fifth of places nationally for homes set to be seized.

The research shows the places across the South East with the highest proportion of homeowners issued with a possession order. This leaves them at serious risk of repossession.

With experts predicting repossessions in England will rise to 45,000 next year, the charity is urging homeowners to prepare for interest rate rises.

In Medway 415 homes were the subject of possession orders in the financial year 2010/11. That is more than four out of every 1,000 private homes.

In Swale in the same period, 200 homes were at risk of seizure - or a similar proportion per 1,000 homes.

Meanwhile, in leafy Tunbridge Wells, just 50 homes were the subject of possession orders - or just 1.26 per 1,000 households.

Shelter conducted the research by analysing the latest Government data on claims leading to possession orders per 1,000 households across every local authority.

The research found a strong link between unemployment and rates of possession orders - with unemployment having risen at more than double the rate in hotspots, compared to the least at risk areas.

The charity's league table of hotspots is being released on the day new repossession figures are due out from the Financial Services Authority.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: "This research paints a frightening picture of repossession hotspots in the South East - where homeowners are literally on the brink of losing the roof over their head.

"We know only too well that the combined pressures of high inflation, increased living costs and stagnant wages are really taking a toll on people.

"All it takes is one thing like job loss to tip people over the edge and into the spiral of debt, repossession and ultimately homelessness.

"And with interest rates due to increase in the near future this research is a clear warning sign of difficult times ahead for many thousands of homeowners across the country."

Anyone struggling should call Shelter's free helpline on 0808 800 4444 or visit Shelter's website.