Figures from the Association of British Insurers show that subsidence-related claims totalled £153m in the first six months of this year. The professional body said the unusually warm and sunny spring was the root cause of the claims, which came from almost 9,000 households and had an average value of £17,264.

Louise Clark (pictured), manager of general insurance policy at the ABI, said: “Climate change is significantly increasing the risk of subsidence in the UK, particularly in areas with clay-rich soils that sink and swell in response to changing moisture levels caused by hot temperatures.

"While not all cases can be prevented, homeowners can reduce the risk by managing nearby trees and shrubs that they own, and by ensuring that gutters, pipes and plumbing are well maintained to avoid leaks.”