HOUSE prices in Warrington are now seven times more than the average annual salary, according to a new report.

In its North West Home Truths 2017/18 report, the National Housing Federation has found that the average worker in the town would need a 67 per cent pay rise to be able to afford a mortgage.

Average house prices of £209,103 in Warrington are seven times typical yearly wages in the town.

Meanwhile, average monthly rents stand at £620 – more than a quarter of income for people living in hired homes.

Around 22 per cent of housing benefit recipients are in work but are unable to afford their rent.

The National Housing Federation said that Warrington was experiencing a ‘housing crisis’, and pointed to 666 too few homes being built in the town between 2012 and 2016.

External affairs manager Ciaran Tully said: “The housing market has seen a relentless rise in the gap between house prices and people’s salaries.

“Warrington is no exception – attaining a mortgage is increasingly unrealistic, and private sector rents make saving up that bit more difficult.

“As this year’s North West Home Truths report shows, it is more important than ever for the sector to be able to deliver homes that are truly affordable.

“If we want to get serious about ending the housing crisis, we need to start looking at unlocking more land so we can build homes faster.”