Volunteer helpers are urging anybody who has had a deposit unreasonably held by rogue landlords at the end of their tenancy to lobby their MP.

A survey conducted by the Citizens' Advice Bureau in 1998 found that up to half of all private tenants lost rent deposits and only one in six had succeeded in getting their money back.

Now the Government has launched a consultation exercise to gauge the need for a compulsory scheme to ensure tenants are not ripped off.

David Chapman, manager of Worthing CAB based in North Street, said: "We see scores of people every year who have lost hundreds of pounds when landlords and agents refuse to pay back rent deposits when tenants move out.

"Not only do the tenants end up out of pocket, very often it means they cannot raise the deposit needed for their next rented home.

"At present, all most tenants can do is write off the loss or go to court but this can take months and even if the courts find in their favour, there is no guarantee they will get their money back as county court judgements are notoriously difficult to enforce."