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Many of the 1.4m borrowers that were coming to the end of their short-term deals this year faced payment shock, but the pain of shifts in the mortgage market looked set to hurt those who took out high loan-to-value deals more than most.

This was made obvious by Northern Rock's interim results, which showed the now nationalised lender's 125 per cent loan-to-value Together mortgage range accounted for 70 per cent of its repossessions in the first half of 2008.

While these products have always had their critics Phil Rickards, head of sales for BM Solutions, said it was vital to remember they these deals were introduced at a time when there was a strong argument for them.

He said: "It is worth pointing out those products were launched in very different conditions. The market, two years ago when these products were first launched, needed some kind of above 90 per cent borrowing to help first-time-buyers.

"We were being lobbied at the time to do something to help first-time-buyers, which is where these products evolved."

However with a limited supply of 95 per cent LTV mortgages currently available what are the options available to these borrowers?

David Finlay, director of intermediary business for the Woolwich, said: "I think they are going to struggle. To my knowledge there are no lenders left offering 100 per cent plus mortgages.

"They are really going to struggle in that area and they will probably only be left with one option and that is to roll over to whatever deal they can get with their existing lender, which is probably the standard variable rate."

But not everyone agrees. Peter O'Donovan, mortgage adviser for London-based IFA Bestinvest, said because the make up of many 125 per cent LTV products were part secured and part unsecured some would find it possible to remortgage part of the loan.

He said: "Even though that rate will increase there is the possibility they might be able to find a cheaper deal on the main loan up to 90 per cent LTV lending. They have got that slight choice."

Lenders have also argued if the sums were done properly at the time the original mortgage was taken out while moving on to the standard variable rate would increase monthly outgoings it should not cripple borrowers unless their income has taken a significant hit in the intervening period.

Clive Kornitzer, chief operating officer for Abbey for Intermediaries, said: "Abbey mortgages are based on affordability models that include the prospect of a customer moving onto the SVR.

"Therefore assuming the customer's affordability criteria has not deteriorated a customer should still be able to afford their mortgage repayments while on their SVR."

BM Solutions' Mr Rickards said a strict credit scoring process was implemented when borrowers applied for this type product with the HBoS lender.

He said: "It was only available to those with an excellent credit history and about half of all applications to us were actually declined. So we were careful in choosing who we let these loans go to."

Mr Rickards said those on 100 per cent plus LTV mortgages with BM Solutions would be maturing next month. While he could not give any specific details he said the lender had spent recent months looking at what could be done for borrowers who might struggle.

He said: "We are continuing to review our criteria and we will continue to do that through this. It is very difficult to call if we are at the bottom of the credit crunch but we are seeing a slight easing."

While it has been widely reported that house prices are beginning to fall some borrowers could find they have built up equity in their home over the last couple of years, according to advisers.

Bestinvest's Mr O'Donovan said some borrowers could find themselves in a better position than they think.

He said: "Even though house prices have started going down they are still more than they were two years ago. So hopefully people who were greater than the 90 per cent LTV bracket with houses where the price has increased they are possibly now below the 90 per cent mark, even if it is 89 per cent LTV. As long as they are below the 90 per cent mark that is all they need."

However Mr O'Donovan said those who could not move on to another deal and might be struggling on the SVR still had options open to them.

He said: "Those people that are on repayment can switch to an interest-only mortgage for the short-term which will reduce their monthly outgoings and then when in six months or a year they can swap back to a repayment mortgage when the rates have come down."

Woolwich's Mr Finlay said whatever situation borrowers found themselves in, they should not suffer in silence.

He said: "From a Woolwich perspective we have issued guidelines to our mortgage advisers about what they can do to help existing Woolwich customers should they contact us. My advice is to speak to an intermediary or their existing lender."