THE average house price in the North-East is eight times the average of local incomes, according to a new survey.

The National Housing Federation's study, North-East Home Truths - The Real Cost of Housing 2007-2012, says that homes in Castle Morpeth, Northumberland, cost more than £230,000, more than double the £110,000 average in Hartlepool.

Attractive rural towns and villages, such as Alnwick and Berwick, and urban areas such as Newcastle, have seen house prices treble in the past ten years.

The region's house prices have increased five times faster than incomes since 1997, the report says.

The federation, which represents 92 housing associations operating in the North-East, calls on the Government to support the building of 1,300 "social" homes a year.

One in 12 North-East families are waiting for an affordable home and waiting lists have increased by 67 per cent in five years. A total of 215,500 people are waiting for an affordable home.

Monica Burns, the federation's regional manager, said: "It is time to face up to a few home truths. Without urgent action, the housing crisis in the North-East will deepen further.

"House prices have risen faster than any other region and latest forecasts suggest further rapid rises after a brief pause. Now is the time to tackle this issue.

"House prices in County Durham are over seven times average salaries and waiting lists are rising rapidly. The demand for affordable housing will continue to outstrip supply unless action is taken."

* The cost of buying the average home in the North-East has gone up more than four times faster than the wage of the average employee in the region over the last decade, according to a study by the TUC.