The current credit-crisis has left nearly a quarter of British homeowners feeling trapped in their current home, according to a study by Gocompare.

Many homeowners have abandoned plans to move house or extend their properties as the down-turn in the housing market has a direct impact on people''s pockets.

Hayley Parsons, chief executive of Gocompare, said: "This research shows how hard the economic downturn is biting. A huge number of home owners are worried about their financial situation and so feel trapped in their homes."

Worst affected by the ongoing credit-crisis are young homeowners under 25.

Nearly half said they felt trapped in their current home, and nearly one-third had abandoned plans to move house in the next 12 months altogether.

On average four-fifths (79 per cent) of homeowners said they were staying put for the next three years because of the effects of the credit-crunch.

But Welsh estate agents will be glad to hear that 34 per cent of respondents in Cardiff said they would still consider moving despite the gloomy economic forecast.