First-time buyers are finding it harder than ever before to secure their first home, it has been suggested.

While many economists continue to predict that the housing market slow down will continue and house price growth will stall, first-time buyers may have some reprieve from ever-climbing prices.

But with mortgage lending tightening and interest rates still at 5.75 per cent, a spokesperson for campaign group PricedOut.org.uk said that trying to get a foot onto the property ladder is still a tricky proposition.

"There is no doubt that it is harder than it has ever been for first-time buyers," he commented, explaining that the average price of a house is far out of the reach of most people.

"It is around fives times as much [as the average salary]…it has never before been that high," he added.

The situation is so difficult, he said that buyers were being forced to look at areas they were not keen on living in.