UNSCRUPULOUS door-to-door salesmen are convincing many council tenants to buy their homes - even though they cannot afford the mortgage.

And the trend to buy has resulted in more people having their homes repossessed, Barnsley Council has warned.

About three quarters of people who apply to buy their council home pull out before the deal is sealed, realising the potentially crippling cost of mortgage repayments. But even so an increasing number are getting in financial difficulty.

Coun Bill Newman, development spokesman, said: "I find it very distressing when people come to the council having to face repossession by money lenders when they have lived in the same house for many years as council tenants and then bought their home - only to have it taken from them."

He said people need to be aware that buying a home is a major commitment - not just because of mortgage repayments but because of the need to carry out repairs and maintenance.

He added: "People must ensure they have the means to repay debts and must be fully aware of the longer term details of their chosen financial package."

Coun Ian Guest, who works for Barnsley Credit Union, warned there are people who will try to take advantage of council tenants who dream of owning their home.

He said: "Sometimes it can be the worst thing for people to take the right-to-buy option if they are not fully-conversant of the costs involved."