Oxford has been named the second least affordable district for first-time buyers in the UK.

It came second only to Camden in London, which has an average house price to earnings ratio of 9.02, according to research by the Halifax.

The study found Oxford had an average house price to earnings ratio of 7.93.

Also in the top five were London boroughs Brent, at 7.90, Harrow, at 7.89 and Hackney, at 7.72.

Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, said: “The number of first-time buyers has risen to a five-year high, boosted by the improvement in affordability resulting from the reductions in both house prices and mortgage rates in recent years.

“However, many have problems raising the deposit and concerns over the economic climate.”

The most affordable district for first time buyers was found to be Stirling, in Scotland, with an average house price to earnings ratio of 2.57.