The findings of the Government rural advocate Dr Stuart Burgess comes at the same time the Country Land and Business Association has called for more flexibility from council planning officials, to allow redundant farm buildings to be converted into affordable homes.

In his report to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Dr Burgess speaks of a lack of affordable housing, rural poverty, a loss of key services and farmers struggling against flooding and animal disease.

"The lack of affordable housing to rent and to buy continues to be the single biggest issue highlighted to me on my visits," he said.

"I heard about growing numbers of people not qualifying for social housing, but not earning enough to buy a house either.

"Affordable homes underpin the future sustainability of rural communities and while I welcome the attention to tackling the problem in the Housing Green Paper, rural housing targets need to be reflected in regional strategies."