ONE in five people constantly struggle with housing costs, as new research reveals 3% have turned to payday lenders to cover their rent or mortgage in the last year.

According to housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland, 21% said making their mortgage or rent payments is a constant struggle for as many as 725,000 people.

The charity found 3% of people in the UK with a rent or mortgage had to use a payday loan in the past year. Three times that many went into an unauthorised overdraft.Across Scotland that could mean 103,836 people turning to a payday lender.

Shelter Scotland urges anyone struggling with mortgage or rent payments to seek help as soon as possible.