A PAY rise of almost 150 per cent is required for a worker on average earnings in Wiltshire to be able to afford a mortgage, a report from the National Housing Federation reveals.

The South West Home Truths 2017/2018 report states that £290,000 is the average price for a home in the county.

This is eleven times the typical local salary, proving home-ownership to be impossible for many.

The report also reveals that the cost of renting privately has added pressure on people’s incomes.

Average monthly rents now stand at £827 which is around 37 per cent of private renters’ income.

Despite 25 per cent of housing benefit recipients being in work, they are still unable to afford their rent.

In 2016/2017 housing associations built 4,200 homes in the South West, and stared a further 4,100.

Nikki Knowles from the National Housing Federation said the “relentless rise" in the gap between house prices and salaries was making getting a mortgage “increasingly unrealistic” for many.

She said unlocking more land was the key to ending the housing crisis.