PEOPLE in Great Yarmouth have avoided losing their homes after being helped by an emergency service, funded by legal aid, which provides last minute help to people facing eviction or repossession.

PEOPLE in Great Yarmouth have avoided losing their homes after being helped by an emergency service, funded by legal aid, which provides last minute help to people facing eviction or repossession.

Recent figures show that last year 178 people in Yarmouth benefited from the Housing Possession Court Duty Schemes, run by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). These schemes, one of which is based in Yarmouth County Court, provides free, immediate legal advice and representation to individuals appearing in court who are at risk of losing their home.

This announcement coincides with the news that mortgage possessions for Yarmouth for the second quarter of 2009 have decreased by 17pc, compared to the figures for the same period in 2008.

These figures come in the year that legal aid celebrates its 60th anniversary. Legal aid was created on 30th July 1949 and is still going strong.

John Sirodcar, national relationship director, said: “The repercussions of the recent economic downturn have affected many people in Yarmouth, and many are now struggling to make their mortgage or rent payments. I am delighted that the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme has been able to help so many people.”

Legal aid funds a telephone helpline, Community Legal Advice on 0845 345 4 345, where people can find out where they can get advice. People on low incomes or benefits could get free advice over the telephone on housing matters, as well as on a range of other legal problems.

You can also text 'legalaid' and your name to 80010, and an operator will call you back. The text costs no more than the normal network rate.