Gordon Brown today acknowledged first-time buyers' frustration at soaring house prices - and said he wanted to build more affordable homes.

The Prime Minister-in-waiting, launching his leadership campaign in London with a speech to Labour party activists, said he would spend the next seven weeks touring the country to listen to people's concerns.

One of his first stops will be Brighton, where he is due to make an appearance at the Dome Concert Hall on Sunday as part of the Brighton Festival.

Frustrated first-time buyers plan to picket the event to highlight the growing housing affordability crisis in the city.

As recently revealed in The Argus, house prices in Brighton and Hove are rising by more than £500 a week - the fastest since records began.

Figures show the average asking price in the city jumped £27,000 last year, making the city the fastest-growing property market in Britain.

The price of the average home in Brighton and Hove had reached more than £217,000 by March.

Pressure group Priced Out, which is co-ordinating Sunday's demonstration, has said: "More and more of Brighton's younger families and individuals are being forced from the city, having to give up on their aspirations to own their home and, in some cases, even delay starting a family."

Today the Chancellor sought to reassure protesters that he understood their predicament.

He said: "I propose to meet people in every part of the country and discuss with homebuyers and communities how we can build more affordable houses in an environmental and sustainable way."

Mr Brown, who is almost certain to become Prime Minister when Tony Blair quits on June 27, continued: "For me, the weeks of the campaign are a chance to discuss new ideas, but also to listen to your concerns.

"A chance to show how we will meet your concerns, but also, as we listen, to learn what needs to change.

"I will listen and I will learn. I will strive to meet people's aspirations.

"I want to lead a government humble enough to know its place, where I will always strive to be - and that's on people's side."

Are you desperately trying to get on the housing ladder? Leave your comments below.

See Monday's Argus for a full report about Gordon Brown's visit to Brighton.