WEST Somerset is set to become the UK’s worst region for young families to live and find work, as it is named the top “pensioner pocket” in the UK.

A new report claims towns such as Minehead and Porlock will have the highest pensioner population in the country within six years.

The report by the National Housing Federation (NHF) placed West Somerset ahead of other south west no-go areas for young families, including East Devon and East Dorset.

David Orr, chief executive of the NHF, said: “Our idealistic view of the English countryside is fast becoming extinct.

“Workers and families aspiring to live, work and grow up in the countryside can’t find homes they can afford.

“If we don’t build more homes, these places will become ‘pensioner pockets’ rather than the thriving, working communities they could be."

Simon Howley, manager of Fox & Sons Estate Agents in Minehead, agreed that a major problem was a lack of well paid jobs for younger people.

“It means young families struggle to get a deposit and lenders are reluctant to lend, so they either try and rent or move out of the area altogether,” he said.

Sally Horn, who works for a charity in Minehead, said: “My daughter was unable to find a job any around here despite being highly qualified.

“In the end she moved to Bristol because there are more opportunities and she has a better chance of getting on the housing ladder.

“I know other young people in the same position and it’s sad to see them go.”

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “We’re determined to ensure that anyone who works hard and aspires to become a homeowner has the opportunity to do so.

“That’s why we’ve introduced schemes such as Help to Buy, which have enabled more than 100,000 people to buy a home with a fraction of the deposit they would normally require.”

Analysis of population trends released a list of England’s top pensioner pockets – where more than four in every 10 (40 per cent) households will contain people aged over 65 in six years’ time, compared with the predicted national average of 29 per cent.

West Somerset had the highest projected proportion of pensioner households by 2021, with nearly half (47 per cent) of households there expected to be headed by someone aged over 65.

What do you think? Are you happy to live in an area that young families cannot afford, or do you think the high house prices and low wages are damaging the future prospects and vibrancy of West Somerset villages? Let us know via newsdesk@county gazette.co.uk.