As house prices in west Dorset continue to soar, prospective homeowners are being urged to sign a register aimed at tackling the crisis.

New figures in the National Housing Federation’s updated Home Truths report show the average cost of a house in west Dorset now stands at more than £300k - more than 12 times the area's average salary.

West Dorset District Council, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and North Dorset District Council have come together to create Opening Doors, a scheme to encourage house building at a faster pace with a target of 20,000 more homes by 2033.

House hunters are being urged to sign up to Opening Doors' Home Ownership Register to give councils information about the types of housing needed.

Information about the Register is being placed in council offices, leisure centres and public buildings, and will also be available at community events for the next few months.

Cllr Tim Yarker, housing spokesman for West Dorset District Council, said: “Our Home Ownership Register will help us more accurately gauge demand as part of our strategy to address housing need locally.”

The register is aimed at anyone seeking a home, whether at open market, affordable, shared ownership or rental.

It will give the councils the power to argue for development of specific kinds with statistics.

Signatories will be among the first-in-line to receive information about the latest housing developments and plans for new homes in the area as well as details of Government initiatives.

They may also be contacted directly by builders and development about new opportunities in their area.

The Home Ownership Register is different from the Dorset Home Choice Housing Register, which is for people in need of social rented properties.

For more information about the campaign and the Home Ownership Register, visit www.openingdoorsdorset.co.uk