Help is on the way for nurses and teachers squeezed out of the housing market by rocketing prices.

Twenty-five key workers will be assisted through a joint initiative by Mid Sussex District Council the Moat Housing Group, which has been awarded £750,000 by the Housing Corporation.

The money will be spent over three years to provide affordable homes for key workers under the Government's Starter Home Initiative.

It will enable teachers and nurses to help buy homes to ease staffing and recruiting problems in important local services.

Mid Sussex District Council leader Councillor Christine Field said: "This is excellent news for Mid Sussex. We know the district is a good place to live and work but high property prices can make it difficult to afford.

"This area badly needs more nurses and teachers to support our public services and we hope this initiative will be one way of providing them with the support they need to make Mid Sussex their home and workplace."

The new scheme will allow workers to buy a percentage of the equity in a property of their choice close to where they work, using a mortgage or savings.

They then pay affordable rent on the rest.

For further information on Starter Homes Initiative and affordable home ownership call the Moat customer inquiry line on 07002 662846.