As extra fortification for just this eventuality - for twelve years we paid £40/month into a mortgage protection policy.

The money, £108,000, would've been paid out from a mortgage protection policy Stroud and Mr Stokle had taken out when they bought a bungalow together.

Some mortgage protection policies will give you a breathing space if you are made redundant, but most just cover mortgage repayments in the event of accident or death.

To ensure that the loan will be repaid if you should die before the term is up, it is essential to take out a mortgage protection policy (also called term assurance).

Barclays charges a £150 arrangement fee which can be added to the loan, although the charge is waived if an endowment, pension or mortgage protection policy is arranged with the bank.