TRURO MP Matthew Taylor has renewed his call for action to tackle the explosive growth in second homes in Cornwall.

The move follows news that St Mawes and other villages in his constituency are among the most expensive seaside towns in the country.

In his constituency the average property in some areas had increased in price by 109 per cent in just three years, the eighth fastest rate of increase for any seaside town in Britain, he said.

Mr Taylor insisted that the key element pushing up prices was demand for second homes, putting property beyond the financial reach of local people. He has already called for a change in the law, which would require homeowners wanting to convert a local home into a holiday let or second home to seek planning permission first.

"These recent findings will come as no surprise to hardworking local families who are being priced out of the property market in their own county. Too many people are suffering because of heavy outside demand for property here - families with small children, pensioners being turned out of rented property and young couples struggling to buy their first home," said Mr Taylor.

"Ministers simply have to recognise that these unique pressures on Cornwall's housing market require urgent action"

Local councils needed the planning powers to control the explosive growth in second and holiday homes and that would help cool the market and give local people a chance, he added.