KEY workers are being priced out of the housing market in Malvern, with some needing more than 12 times their salary to afford a house there.

Nurses, policemen, teachers, paramedics and firemen can no longer afford to buy property in half of the towns in the West Midlands - with Malvern being one of the highest priced. According to research by the Halifax Building Society, the average house prices in the town have risen from £121,702 in 2001 to £229,158 this year. Only Stratford-upon-Avon and Solihull cost more to live in.

Public sector unions have now called on the Govern-ment to help ensure their staff can afford houses in the areas where they work. Steve Lau-gher, the brigade secretary for the Fire Brigade Union, said: "Malvern seems to be one of the worst; Evesham is another town where firefighters cannot afford to live. Worcester is quickly catching up and many people are being forced to move to places such as Kidderminster or even further afield. It has been a problem now even prior to the pay dispute of 2003, but has increased recently because property prices are going up so much."With an average wage of £25,000, firefighters cannot afford the £180-£200,000 asking prices for a traditional semi."

But the West Mercia Police Federation is not aware of any of their officers having any problems. Andy White, chairman for the group, said: "I know of a number of officers who live in the Malvern and I am not personally aware of people saying they cannot afford a house." Martin Ellis, chief economist at Halifax, said research had revealed a different situation.

He added: "Key workers have been hit hard by the strength of the property market over the past five years. Now it's difficult for key workers to buy the average house, not only in the south of England, but also in parts of the Midlands, the North, Wales and Scotland."