A lack of affordable housing in Devon is top of the agenda at a major conference designed to find ways of tackling the problem.

House prices in the county have risen by nearly 50% on average over the last four years.

But average incomes in the region - the fourth lowest in Britain - have only gone up by 13%.

The meeting in Exeter brings together more than 30 representatives from a wide range of organisations with key roles in housing.

Our young people are the biggest single group leaving because they can't afford to live here

Brian Greenslade, Devon County Council

They include housing experts, district councils, government agencies, developers and special interest organisations.

A recent MORI poll showed that a lack of affordable homes is the top quality-of-life concern among Devon people.

The main Devon plan proposes that at least a third of all new homes built there should be cheap enough for local people to afford.

Unattainable dream

Devon County Council deputy leader Brian Greenslade said decent homes for all should be a key part of any society.

But he said that for people on even average incomes, raising a family under a roof of their own was becoming an unattainable dream.

"We have a county rated among the best in Britain, yet our young people are the biggest single group leaving because they can't afford to live here," he said.

"Meeting the housing needs of local people and, in particular, first-time buyers and those on low incomes is a source of deep concern."

Practical solutions

County council leader Christine Channon will be a keynote speaker at the summit being held at council headquarters.

She said: "By calling local planners, housing experts, homelessness groups and even developers to the table, we hope to form a better understanding of the problem.

"We will aim to share good practice and come up with practical solutions for the future."