Scottish ministers will have to approve the council's proposals

The council said the move was needed in Highland Perthshire and Greater Perth for up to five years to prevent a serious shortage of accommodation.

The areas have seen much of the housing sold off as well as suffering from a low turnover of rented properties.

The proposals, which will be the subject of a consultation, will require the approval of Scottish Ministers.

The suspension would affect tenancies started on or after 30 September, 2002.

But the council warned the move may have to be extended in future.

Level of demand

The local authority's housing convener Gordon Hunter He said: "There is an excess demand for social rented and other forms of affordable housing throughout the Perth and Kinross area, which the council is addressing though its affordable housing policy and local housing strategy plans.

"The level of demand varies between areas and the suspension of right to buy is only one means of tackling the shortage of affordable housing."

In Highland Perthshire, more than half of the council's housing stock from 1980 has been sold.