MALVERN is the least affordable district in the West Midlands to live in, according to new figures.

Office for National Statistics Data shows the district ranks top of the least affordable places to live in the region.

Nationwide used the ONS data along with Land Registry earnings data to create a house price to earnings ratio (HPER).

This shows Malvern's HPER as 6.8.

Andrew Harvey, senior economist, said: "Our recent Affordability Report identified that affordability was becoming more stretched across all regions.

"However, there is also considerable variation within those regions and in this special report we explore this further.

"We’ve updated our local affordability metrics, which use house price and earnings data from the Land Registry & Office for National Statistics (ONS) to give the most comprehensive view at a local level.

"Most authorities in the South West have seen a deterioration in affordability over the last year, but Cotswold replaced Bath and North East Somerset as the least affordable area, with a house price earnings ratio of 8.6.

"This district includes sought after towns such as Cirencester, Tetbury and Moreton-in-Marsh.

"Rutland, the smallest historic county in England, remains the least affordable authority in the East Midlands, while in the West Midlands it is Malvern Hills."