Southampton has been identified as one of the top ten locations in England and Wales where first-time buyers have the best chance of getting onto the property ladder.

Research by Bird & Co found that the average house price for first-time buyers in the city is £215,469.

The research also suggests that high rental prices in Southampton may make buying a home a more practical and achievable option for first-time buyers.

Daniel Chard said: "Surprisingly, some of the country’s major cities – Newcastle, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds – rank within the top five on this list, highlighting that even in larger urban centres, there are still opportunities for first-time buyers to take that first step into homeownership.

"This research highlights the financial challenges facing first-time buyers and provides valuable insights into the most affordable areas to step onto the property ladder."

The research was based on rental prices, salaries, house prices, loan-to-value percentages, interest rates, mortgage repayment periods, and initial home-buying costs.