First-time buyers are having to pay £10,000 more than last year to get on the property ladder.

New research shows the average price paid by first timers nationally went past the £150,000 barrier for the first time in 2006.

According to a survey by the Halifax the average price increased by 11 per cent this year to £151,565 compared to £137,122 in 2005.

But in Sussex first time buyers face even bigger increases.

The average price they pay in the South East has increased from £163,243 in 2005 to £173,656 this year. In 2001 the average cost was £111,564.

There has been a 56 per cent increase in the region in the last five years.

The number of first time buyers nationally hit a 26-year low this year at 315,000.

But despite the huge rise in the cost of buying, first time buyers have not disappeared.

Instead, many are turning to their parents to give them a helping hand.

Estate Agent Barrie Alderton said they are waiting longer before taking their first step on the ladder. In recent years the average age of a first time buyer has risen from early 20s to early 30s.

Mr Alderton, who runs his business in Southover Street, Brighton, said: "First time buyers have not disappeared but they are now having to wait longer because they need to be earning more to afford a property. Or they get good old mum and dad to help."

He said there has been an increase in the number of parents willing to re-mortgage the family home in order to give their children cash for a deposit.

He regularly sees parents walking into his office alongside their children. He told The Argus: "Now mum and dad come along as well because they want to see what they are putting their money into."

Mr Alderton said in the past the Hanover area of the city, where his office is based, was popular with first time buyers. But they are now priced out of the market.

He said: "Prices in the area have sky-rocketed in recent years. First time buyers are now more restricted because of the cost. In the past there were first time buyers who bought a house but now it has to be a flat. It is a great shame."

There have been reports that more single people are pairing up with friends or strangers to buy property. But Mr Alderton said he has not seen evidence of a growing trend.

He said in the past many first time buyers were single people, but now most purchases are by couples who can only afford to buy when both are working and earning good salaries.

House prices in Sussex continue to be among the highest in the country, where the average cost nationally is £184,924.

The average price in Crowborough is a whopping £293,627 and in Chichester £266,165.

In St Leonards the average cost is £168,352 and in Worthing £204,243.

The average house price in Brighton is now £233,803 and in Hove the figure stands at £259,547.