First-time buyers face steeply rising prices in Aberdeen

Housing charity Shelter Scotland is calling for more government funding to be made available for affordable homes.

New figures put the cost of the average home in Aberdeen at almost �172,000 - almost seven times the average salary in the city.

Shelter said this was out of reach for many, including first-time buyers.

The latest figures published by the Bank of Scotland show buyers could face monthly mortgage repayments of more than �1,000, before other bills and living costs are taken into consideration.

The worry is that as house prices continue to rise, prices at the bottom end of the market will rise too James Jopling Shelter Scotland

Shelter Scotland said it was not just the low paid and first-time buyers who were struggling as a result.

James Jopling, of Shelter Scotland, said: "We know this isn't a scientific study but it is a good indicator of the immense pressure that house prices are putting on the pockets of people who want to get onto the property ladder.

"This means for many would-be first time buyers, prices are simply out of their reach.

"The worry is that as house prices continue to rise, prices at the bottom end of the market will rise too."

Property hotspot

He said that with no viable alternative to buying, people in Aberdeen would be left in unsuitable housing, first-time buyers would be unable to move out of home, and the council would face difficulties housing people.

Mr Jopling said: "We want to see more affordable housing in Aberdeen and across Scotland.

"That's why we're calling for a significant increase in investment over the next three years."

Aberdeen City Council will study a series of reports on affordable homes next week.

Aberdeen was recently named as Scotland's property hotspot for 2006, with the average house price rising by 27%.

The city was the only place in Scotland to feature in the top 20 best performing towns across the UK.