House prices in the South East have rocketed faster than anywhere in the UK including London, research revealed today.

The cost of a new home rose by 166 per cent over the past decade, says the Halifax.

A new three-bedroom semi leapt from £83,600 to £222,000.

Economists warned more homes would have to be built or the region would face a shortfall.

Earlier this month, a government inspector ruled 1,670 houses must be built around Littlehampton and Bognor over the next nine years.

There were hundreds of objections from residents.

But Alan Foster said there were a great need for greenfield sites to be allocated for new housing, even though it would mean the loss of countryside.

The housing situation in Brighton and Hove is among the worst in the South East.

Green councillor Keith Taylor said: "It is a complicated issue as we have such a severe crisis in Brighton with 15,000 households in housing need.

"There is a projected shortfall of 27,000 units of low-cost housing in the city and the problem is the Local Plan document identifies sites for just 764."

One suggestion put forward by the Greens is to spread the economic boom the South East is experiencing to other areas so fewer people migrate to the area.