Rising prices have put homes out of reach of locals in Devon

Covenants are used by South Hams Council to save accommodation for local people and to ease pressure on the housing system.

About 1,500 properties already have covenants attached, mainly on former local authority housing sold off under the right to buy directive.

The council says more covenants will be made next year.

The first new covenants will be on two new properties built in Kingsbridge with the housing association Tor Homes.

The lack of affordable housing has become a major issue in the low-wage area.

South Hams District and Devon County Council have together released about �2m of additional council tax income, raised by the reduction in discount available to second home and holiday home owners, to fund affordable housing projects.