MORE affordable homes could be built in Worcestershire thanks to the Prince of Wales.

Prince Charles has launched a major initiative to encourage landowners and businesses to use their land, property and resources to provide more affordable housing in rural areas.

The Housing Corporation, the Countryside Agency, Business in the Community and the Country Land and Business Association are key partners behind the push for better provision of low cost housing in rural areas, particularly for families on low incomes, young people and key workers.

The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Westminster are providing additional financial support.

"In many rural communities the housing needs of local people far outstrip the supply of affordable housing and the consequences are severe, particularly for young people," said Prince Charles at the launch.

"We need to find new opportunities for landowners to bring forward rural sites, for developers to achieve high quality and sustainable developments, for financial institutions to develop innovative ways to make such schemes viable and for business to recognise that it can do something to help, like releasing empty properties or space over shops in market towns to be let as flats."