The average price of a Bradford house has broken through the £100,000 barrier for the first time, a survey revealed today.

But the rapid rise in prices means first-time buyers are struggling more than ever before to get on the first rung of the housing ladder.

Anyone who wants to put down a deposit on a £100,000 house would have to come up with £5,000.

Debt counselling experts have warned that the pressure on people being forced to take on huge mortgages could damage health and destroy relationships.

And even traditional mortgage lenders like building societies have acknowledged that soaring property prices could radically change the future housing market.

Niall Cooper, of national charity Church Action On Poverty, said the price rises would trap people in a Catch 22 situation.

"It'll either drive people to take on excessive mortgages which will force them into debt, make them leave their home district to find cheaper accommodation elsewhere or drive them into expensive and poor-quality rented accommodation," he said. "None of that is good. The knock-on effect on being in debt and acquiring money problems is that the stress will affect their personal life, health and relationships.

"People might think high house values are great for the community but in the wider sense they are not at all."

John Watts, vice-president of Bradford & District Estate Agents' Association, warned there were other consequences of the price surge that were confronting home buyers in the district.

He said buyers now had to compete harder than ever before for the house of their dreams.

Mr Watts, a partner in Bradford estate agents Robert Watts, said houses priced up to £125,000 across the city were selling well but competition among house buyers in that price bracket was fierce.

He said: "Being a first-time buyer is not enviable. They have to accept unless they come up with the cash they are not going to get on to the housing ladder.

"Once they've accepted that, they are now up against multiple offers for the same house which can drive the eventual price up even more. It's a great time to sell but not to buy."

Jennifer Holloway, head of media relations for the Skipton Building Society, said it was becoming more and more difficult for people to get on to the housing ladder because of rising house prices and interest rates.

"And in the past 12 months to two years it has become even harder," she said.

"First-time buyers are getting older because they just haven't got the money.

"This is the case in Bradford and it is reflected nationally."

She said a five per cent deposit of £5,000 on a £100,000 property was difficult to raise for many young people.

"People are leaving university with debts and many have to either go back to living with their parents or trying to save while renting until they have enough money," she said.

"It sounds macabre, but people are having to accept that the financial lifestyle of people in this country has changed.

"Traditionally people bought their first home in their 20s, their children moved out by their 40s, and they then had plenty of time to save for retirement.

"It might be that society will change even more and we could become a nation of renters."

She said it was difficult for young people starting their careers to get a mortgage.

"We are being more flexible with first-time buyers and are now allowing parents to act as guarantors," she said.

"The potential buyer might not be on a high income at first but their parents can back their future potential.

"It's something we have to keep looking at and finding ways to help people as lifestyle changes."

According to the Halifax's House Price Index, published today, the average UK house price grew by 5.9 per cent in the last year. In Bradford it has risen by a massive 31 per cent.