MORE than 600 children in the region are facing a homeless Christmas, according to shock new figures from housing charity Shelter.

The charity claims one in every 121 households in the North-East and one in every 139 in Yorkshire and Humberside are being put at risk of eviction or repossession every day of the year.

Yesterday bosses appealed for donations to their Christmas appeal to help families keep a roof over their heads.

The charity is warning that sky-high housing costs are leaving more and more families teetering on a financial knife-edge. With little or no savings to fall back on, just one thing, like a sudden illness, can be all it takes to tip a family into a downward spiral towards losing their home.

Shelter's report also identified the hotspots across the region where people are most likely to face losing their home. South Tyneside topped the list with as many as 1 in every 72 homes at risk of eviction or repossession, followed by Newcastle upon Tyne (1 in 95), and Hartlepool (1 in 104).

In Darlington it’s one in 125 and 1 in 121 in County Durham. Up to 140 children in the North East are at risk and living in temporary accommodation with 500 in Yorkshire and Humberside. The figures were based on an analysis of information from the Ministry of Justice.

Chief executive of Shelter, Campbell Robb said: “Imagine the panic of receiving a notice through the door saying that you could lose your home – that’s the devastating reality for thousands of people every week.

“The sky high cost is making it harder and harder for families to keep a roof over their heads. And with the stakes so high, all it can take is one piece of bad luck to send a family spiralling towards homelessness.

“Our advisers will be working non-stop this Christmas to support families who find themselves battling to keep their home, but our services are already over-stretched and we’re struggling to meet the demand. “

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesman said help and advice is available, but added: “The Government’s welfare reform changes are having a major impact on many local families and we are fully aware of the hardship this is causing.

“As a council we have introduced a number of measures and we do urge anyone experiencing financial difficulties to get in touch as soon as they possibly can.”