YOUNG people are quitting cash-rich Ribble Valley because they can no longer afford to live there.

The area has been named one of the wealthiest 20 in Britain. But properties are now beyond the reach of many first-time buyers, who are moving to neighbouring towns and cities.

A modest two-bedroomed terraced house in Clitheroe now costs around £70,000, compared with £55,000 last year, but a similar property in Blackburn and Burnley might fetch £50,000.

Meanwhile, salary levels in Ribble Valley have failed to keep pace with house prices.

Councillors today called for radical action. Ribble Valley councillor Frank Dyson said: "We are totally hamstrung by government legislation and have limited powers to compel developers to provide low-cost housing.

"They are interested in making as much profit as possible and are therefore reluctant to build starter homes.

"I believe district councils should have complete discretion to deal with planning applications that fail to take account of local needs. I am calling on the council to put pressure on the government to remedy this problem.

"First-time buyers are moving out of the Ribble Valley in their droves to get on the housing ladder." Charles Warkman, chairman of the Ribble Valley housing committee, added: "People are prepared to pay ridiculous prices for houses in Ribble Valley and we have a very serious problem on our hands.

"Young people are being forced out of the villages they grew up in and we will need far more powers as a local authority if we are to remedy this situation."

An in-depth study by Barclays Bank has revealed that Ribble Valley is 12th in the top 20 wealthiest places in Britain.

While southerners have higher salaries, Barclays claims people in the North enjoy bigger disposable incomes, because of lower house prices and living costs, with the average Ribble Valley salary of £25,336 said to be worth £35,887 in real terms.

But Ribble Valley Council personnel officer Liz Sherbourne said it was becoming increasingly difficult to recruit staff because of spiralling house costs.

"It is not unusual for us to appoint people who then relocate to Bury, for example, rather than Ribble Valley, because it is cheaper for them to commute than buy property here.

"We are reviewing our relocation package, but house prices are definitely affecting our ability to recruit, particularly at senior level."

Council employee Mick Hargreaves, 28, said he had been battling to buy property in Clitheroe since Christmas and was currently staying at his brother's house.

He has been offered a mortgage of £57,000 and, despite having saved up a sizeable deposit, has so far been unable to get on the housing ladder.

"I grew up on a farm in Bashall Eaves and there is no way I could afford a house there.

"I am desperate to buy an affordable property in Clitheroe, but a lot of people are chasing houses in the town and some are in a position to pay over the odds.

"I put in an offer for one house that sold for £5,000 above the asking price and that happens frequently.

"Wealthy people want to move to Ribble Valley because it has low crime and good schools, but at what price to local young people?

"I'm lucky because I have a sizeable deposit saved up, otherwise I couldn't even consider living in Ribble Valley. It's a frightening situation."

Clitheroe estate agent Steve Hatton, who has been selling houses in Ribble Valley for 30 years and is based at Atherton's in King Street, said competition for local properties was fierce.

"An increasing number of people want to live in the area, because of several factors, particularly the quality of schools.

"There are a fixed number of properties available and planning permission for new properties is very limited.

"People relocating from the South can also afford to pay more and all this is pushing prices up. A lot of local youngsters can no longer afford to live in Ribble Valley, particularly in the villages.

"This problem has been building up for a long time and the authorities have never got to grips with it."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has called for an urgent meeting with Ribble Valley councillors to discuss the matter.

He said: "This problem is becoming serious and I need to sit down with representatives of the local authority without delay to look at possible solutions."