Alarming figures highlight how young people are being priced out of the property market by soaring house prices.

The crisis has led to more young people living with their parents well into adulthood or moving out of their home towns.

To buy a two-bedroom terraced house in Wealden, the average annual household income would have to be £47,100.

But 58 per cent of households in the district earn less than £27,500, according to a report by consultants David Coutie Associates.

Almost half of householders who moved out of Wealden cited high house prices as the reason.

Wealden District Council's housing spokeswoman Councillor Margaret Kirkpatrick said more needed to be done to stop an exodus of young people.

She said: "We believe there are some 2,000 sons and daughters living at home with their parents who want to move into their own accommodation but can't afford to.

"Over the past five years the average price of a terraced house has increased by 95 per cent in Wealden. On average the council loses some 50 to 60 properties each year through tenants exercising their Right to Buy."

A survey six years ago showed Wealden needed to provide up to 150 affordable new homes each year to keep pace with demand.

But in this recent survey the number has risen sharply to 874. The main need is for flats and terraced houses.

At just 7.5 per cent, Wealden has the lowest proportion of social housing in East Sussex and its share is well below the national average of 19.3 per cent.

New guidelines encourage 30 per cent of affordable housing in major developments.

But the latest survey shows more needs to be done, according to Coun Kirkpatrick. She said: "Young people and their families are the lifeblood of our communities.

"If we fail to provide affordable homes and allow a Nimby attitude to prevail, we may be wrecking all our futures."

The survey also revealed a growing need for sheltered accommodation and homes for people with mobility problems.

There is expected to be a 58 per cent increase in the retired population of Wealden between 2003 and 2026.

In Hastings, property prices in the past decade have risen by more than 250 per cent.

In 1995, buyers would have paid £44,902 for an average home. In 2005 that figure is £159,816.