Merton families are plunging further into debt as the council stands by its hard line on tax collection - despite the onset of a recession.

The number of court summons issued to residents struggling to pay council tax has soared over the last financial year, with up to one in four householders now threatened with prosecution and summoned to court.

Bailiffs have also visited 50 per cent more Merton homes, with 5,804 call outs between April 2007 and March 2008, compared to 3,689 the previous financial year.

Critics are branding the council’s collection methods as “draconian” claiming people on low incomes are pushed closer to bankruptcy as the court and bailiff costs - which can amount to hundreds of pounds - are passed on to them.

But according to Councillor Samantha George, deputy leader of Merton Council, understanding is given to householders under financial pressure.

She said: "The council will always strive to put the needs of its residents first and offer them a variety of payment arrangements and will only take forward measures such as bankruptcy as an absolute last resort.”

The local authority has said the increase in figures is due to a new method of collating the number of summons and bailiff visits.

Council leader David Williams added that he was unaware of any change in Merton’s approach when collecting debt.

He said: “If we don’t collect in the money then it will significantly impact on our services and our ability to help people in the community that need it. I find it astonishing that some people are complaining that the council is too vigorous in collecting council tax.”

But 13 people were made bankrupt in 2007/2008 over failure to pay council tax compared to none over the previous 12 months. Nine people have already been made bankrupt by Merton this financial year.

Once bankruptcy proceedings are initiated, people can face bills of up to £50,000 in insolvency and legal costs, even though their original debt might have been little over £750.

Donna Wells, 49, of Haynt Walk, Raynes Park is one resident facing a bailiff’s visit and claims she is left with no other option than to quit the job she loves in order to claim means-tested housing benefit.

She is 18 months in tax arrears but the economic downturn has reduced her income as a free-lance door supervisor, and the council is demanding she pays £300 a month or face further legal proceedings.

She said: “You’re making an effort to pay but still being threatened with prison - there has to be more compassion from the council.

“It makes me so angry that my personal financial situation isn’t being taken into account. It’s a desperate situation for a lot of people who are not being heard - we’re part of a forgotten minority.”

Anyone struggling to pay their council tax should call 020 8274 4904.