A study by Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks found almost two-in-three (65%) of young buyers said they had to wait longer than hoped before buying a property.

This compares with just 8% who managed to buy quicker than expected.

One-in-ten people said they had to wait more than four years longer than they wanted before buying a home.

There are signs that high prices are forcing people to stay in their first property for longer periods of time. More than a fifth (21%) said they would stay for between four and five years with a further 19% expecting to stay for between 9 and 10 years.

People were more likely to stay for longer in their first home in the midlands and the North East while buyers in London, the South West and Wales preferred to stay for between three and four years.

Steve Fletcher, director of Clydesdale and Yorkshire retail banking, said: “It is positive that our research shows that there is a small improvement on the previous year, however almost two thirds of first-time buyers still face challenges in meeting their own timescales for being a homeowner.

“We remain focused on supporting first-time buyers and helping to make their dream of owning a home a reality. Whether it is saving a deposit or finding the right mortgage to suit individual needs and circumstances, Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks can help throughout the process of becoming a homeowner for the first time.”