One of the biggest increase in home repossession and eviction claims is in Richmondshire, North Yorkshire, according to a housing and homelessness charity.

Shelter estimates as many as one home in every street in some parts of England are at risk of being repossessed - with unemployment and the high cost of living leaving many households on a ''knife-edge''.

The number of possession claims across England has increased, according to figures released by the charity, which it says are based on a combination of Ministry of Justice statistics and 2011 census data.

Between July last year and June the biggest increase in possession and eviction claims was recorded in Richmondshire - represented by Foreign Secretary William Hague - which has rocketed by 80.3 per cent.

However, the actual number of claims has not been released.

The figures relate to possession claims, which are applications made to a court by lenders and landlords to repossess a house, the first step to get a possession order.

Newham in East London has the highest number of homes at risk of being repossessed, at one in every 35. That could be one house on every street in the area where a family may be made homeless, Shelter said.

Outside of London, Wolverhampton has the highest claim rate for possessions at one in every 59 homes under threat, followed closely by Nottingham, Salford, Peterborough and Luton where each place has one in every 63 homes are at risk of being repossessed.

In the London borough of Brent, 2,747 homes are at risk, as of June this year, rising from 1,997 in the same month last year, up 37.6 per cent.

West Somerset closely follows Richmondshire with 65.7 per cent more possession claims, while Watford has a 50.8 per cent increase.

Following Newham, in the top 10 areas of England with the most repossession and eviction claims, are Haringey and Barking and Dagenham, each with one in every 37 homes at risk.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: ''This research shows that thousands of families all over England are dealing with the devastating possibility of losing their home. In some places as many as one home in every street is now at risk.

''With less job security and the rising cost of living and housing these days, many more families are finding themselves living on a knife-edge. Just one thing, like a job loss or illness, could tip them into a spiral that puts their home at risk.

''It's right we create a welfare system that's fair but government changes to the safety net are leaving ordinary families exposed. We must protect the safety net so that if people fall on hard times, they can get the help they need to get back on their feet.''