RESEARCH by the housing and homelessness charity Shelter has revealed that about 30,400 renters were put at risk of eviction in the last year - equivalent to 80 renters a day.

The shocking new analysis, which uses Ministry of Justice figures, showed that one in every 60 rented households in the West Midlands have been put at risk of losing their home.

The charity also identified the hotspots in the region where renters are most likely to face losing their home.

Wyre Forest in Worcestershire came second in the list, just behind Solihull, with as many as one in every 45 rented homes at risk of eviction.

The charity is warning that a "worrying" combination of rapidly rising rents, "drastic cuts" to housing benefit and the "chronic lack" of genuinely affordable homes will leave thousands of families battling to keep a roof over their heads this Christmas.

Alison Mohammed, Shelter’s director of services, said: “It’s shocking to think that each and every week, hundreds of people in the region receive a notice through the door with the devastating news that they might lose their home.

“We speak to parents every day who are desperately trying to keep a roof over their children’s heads, but with rents soaring and housing support being slashed, many are finding themselves at breaking point.

"Already over 2,400 children in the West Midlands will wake up homeless and in temporary accommodation this Christmas, and tragically the situation looks set to get worse.

“Our advisers will be working non-stop over the festive period to support families at risk of losing their home - but sadly our helpline is receiving a huge number of calls and our services are straining under the demand.

“We desperately need more support from the public to help us be there for these families and make sure no-one has to fight homelessness on their own this Christmas.”

For more details visit shelter.org.uk