Hartlepool Council will carry out an investigation into the lack of housing and report back its findings by the end of the year.

It will be holding public meetings with local people to hear their views.

The first meeting takes place at Jutland Road Community Centre on Thursday starting at 1400 BST and members of the public are welcome.

Councillor Shaun Cook, chairman of the regeneration and planning services scrutiny forum, said: "Going back to the early 1980s the Government introduced right to buy which was a good thing.

"However, over 20 years on there is clearly a shortage of good, affordable rented property in Hartlepool and I think it is time that this whole issue is looked at in some detail.

"The dramatic rise in house prices over the last few years has meant that more people are now having to turn to rented accommodation but there is simply insufficient to meet the current demand."