HOUSING: Help is at hand for people struggling to stay in their native villages because of high house prices.

A new post has been created with the aim of ensuring there is enough affordable housing.

The appointment, announced at a conference in Bingley yesterday, is jointly funded by Bradford Council's housing department and the Countryside Agency.

Councillor Kris Hopkins, the Council's executive member for health and housing, said: "Many rural villages and towns have high house prices compared to other parts of the district and little by way of affordable or social housing. This can lead to local people, especially young people, having to move out of their home villages."

He said the new officer would work with parish councils, housing associations and private developers to ensure that money was set aside and used for affordable housing.