York is the most difficult place in the north of England to get onto the property ladder, according to statistics published by housing charity Shelter.

Residents of York have to work for longer to afford a deposit to buy their own home, with families and those living alone the worst affected, according to the research, which says it could take up to 15 years for the average person to be able to put down a deposit in York.

Shelter, a housing and homelessness charity, used estimates of average income and average cost of essentials in each region to calculate how much people would be likely to save.

Using average house prices from each area they then calculated an estimated time it would take to save a deposit, for couples with children, couples without children and single people.

The figures suggest it is harder to get on the property ladder in York than in any other northern city, including Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle.

It is estimated an average York couple would have to work for 6.8 years to afford a deposit, while those with children would have to work for 12 years and for those living alone it could take up to 14.3 years.

This is compared to the Yorkshire and Humberside average of 4.5 years, 8.8 years and ten years respectively.

Coun James Alexander, the leader of City of York Council, said: “It is widely recognised York has a homes crisis.

“Large demand for homes with years of lack of supply has seen house prices and rents increase far faster than wages.”

He said: “We need to be a city of aspiration where people who work hard and play by the rules can afford a home for rent or ownership if they work for it. This is why the draft local plan proposes more homes.”