House price rises mean key workers, on average wages, have to borrow higher multiples of their salary than most first-time buyers to buy a home.

Average house prices in England and Wales can be six-times the average wage of a nurse or firefighter.

In London and the south east prices are up to nine-times some workers' wages.

Multiple woe

The Halifax estimated that in 2003 first-time buyers borrowed more than four-times their salary on average to buy a home.

If a nurse, on an average NHS salary, borrowed the same income multiple they would not be able to afford an averagely priced home in any town in East Anglia, the south east or south west of England, the report found.

Number of UK towns key workers cannot afford to buy in Nurses 496 Teachers 390 Police officers 400 Fire fighters 251 Source: Halifax (634 towns surveyed, fire fighter figure based on smaller sample)

Using the same yardstick, teachers and police officers could afford to buy a home in only a handful of towns in the south of England.

Only in the north of England and Scotland are averagely-priced homes in the majority of towns affordable to key workers.

The Halifax called on the government to help key workers who wish to become homeowners.

"We believe the government should seriously consider extending the Starter Home Initiative, its flagship scheme for key public sector workers, to include regions like the Midlands, East Anglia and the South West," spokeswoman Shane O'Riordain said.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister says a successor programme to that initiative is due to be introduced in April and "will extend assistance to key workers at different life-stages and not just first time buyers".

Price barrier

On Wednesday the Halifax revealed that the average price of a first home had broken through the �100,000 barrier.

Prices paid by first-time buyers have risen 22.6% in the past year, from �82,968 to �101,747, the bank said.

The Halifax also said house prices had increased 2.2% in January, thanks mainly to a shortage of properties coming on to the market.