Houses in West Sussex hotspots are now valued at up to ten times the average local earnings, according to a survey.

The South-East has high ratios compared with the rest of the country, with 30 of its 37 boroughs having property-to-income ratios above the national average of 5.98.

Chichester is fourth on the list with house prices at 9.94 times local incomes. The average property price is £226,955 and the average annual income is £22,838.

In Arun the average house price is £162,393 and the average annual income is £22,838, making the ratio 7.11.

Adur has a ratio of 6.46. The average property price is £147,539 and the average income is £22,838.

Worthing: Average house price of £147,053 and average annual income of £22,838 makes a ratio of 6.44.

Gordon Rankin, marketing director of Barclays Private Clients, which carried out the survey, said: "The difference between income and property prices is not everything in terms of affordability as many already have a lot of equity in property.

"However, the data does give real insight into those areas which are hotspots at the moment.

"The South-East as a whole seems to be very expensive except for when you move out to coastal areas such as Hastings and Dover, which are that much further from the capital."

Wealden in East Sussex is third on the list with prices standing at 10.03 times the average local income.

The rest of Sussex is also high on the list. Horsham is seventh with a ratio of 9.63.

This is followed by Mid Sussex where the ratio is 8.70.

Brighton and Hove is 12th on the list with a ratio of 8.69. Lewes has a ratio of 7.85 and Rother in East Sussex a ratio of 7.62.

Hastings is one of the more affordable areas of the region, with property only 5.03 times local earnings.