The poll found that 52% of people in rural areas thought only people on the very highest incomes could afford to buy a home in their village, although this figure soared to 62% in the South West and South East.

A further 15% said they knew of a family or friend who been priced out of the countryside and had moved away, although this hit 22% in the West Midlands and 21% in the South West.

One in four (24%) thought community life had declined over the last five years in rural communities, but this figure jumped to 47% among 18 to 24 year-olds.

Just 9% thought second homes had a positive impact on their community, with 26% feeling they had a negative impact, while in the South West the figure swelled to 35%.

NHF CEO, David Orr, said: ?This poll reflects the growing fear within many rural communities that traditional village life is in terminal decline.

?People are seeing key local services like shops, pubs and local schools disappear from their village in record numbers as high house prices and a lack of affordable homes forces families and young people out of their communities.

?Second home owners and wealthy newcomers have pushed prices up in many areas, but the real problem fuelling the decline of our villages is the chronic shortage of affordable homes.

?Until local authorities begin to properly assess the true extent of rural housing need, at village level, and draw up action plans to deliver the new homes so desperately needed, there?s a very real danger that traditional village life will disappear.?

Story provided by Business Financial Newswire