County Durham has ranked second on a list of most affordable areas in the UK to buy your first home.

A study into house prices, conducted by Make My Blinds, found the average deposit for homes in County Durham was £12,899, while the average salary in the area is £27,846.

The study said, that assuming a person saves 20 per cent of their salary each month, a person would be able to purchase a County Durham property in just over two years (27.8 months).

This would mean prospective buyers would on average need to save £464 each month.

Make My Blinds said: “County Durham is next on our list of the areas in England with the quickest time to save for a house deposit.

“This ceremonial county has the most expensive average house deposit in our top three, totalling £12,899, but also occupies the most significant annual salary.

“Because of this, it will only take residents here just under 28 months to save for a house deposit.”

The region was joined by other North East locations such as Hartlepool, Darlington, Gateshead and Middlesbrough in the top ten.

These areas ranked fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth respectively – with rankings being decided based on house prices and average salaries in the area.

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The average deposits for these areas are £14,152 (Hartlepool), £15,863 (Darlington), £15,540 (Gateshead), and £14,104 (Middlesbrough).

The study found that Burnley had the cheapest house price per square metre – coming at £1,250 per square metre.

Kensington and Chelsea has the most expensive price per square metre of any area in England and Wales at £7,429 per square metre. 

You can find out more here.