MOST young Worcester families will be waiting 12 years before they can afford their first home, a charity has said.

Shelter has warned the stark figure shows the prospect of youngsters owning a home is “slipping away”.

The wait is likely to be even longer for Worcester’s ‘singletons’, who face a 13-year struggle before being able to afford their own place. Couples without a child are in the best situation with an average six-year wait.

The city’s estate agents, however, say they dispute Shelter’s bleak forecast.

“It seems strange that Shelter are saying this now when house prices were categorically higher five years ago and wages have not fallen in that time,” said James Edwards, managing director of Worcestershire-based Town and Country Property Services.

“The ability to buy a first home is easier today than it was a year ago and will be even easier next year. “Borrowing is unquestionably becoming easier with the number of approved loans up almost every month year on year.”

Another estate agent says he has seen a rise in first time buyers.

"We have found that we are selling to a much larger number of first time buyers this year compared to others," said Paul Jones, sales manager at Allan Morris Worcestershire.

"Most of these are under 30 but are only being able to buy either as a couple or with help from a family member."