AFFORDABLE flatpack homes could be on sale in Southampton if a giant Ikea store gets planning permission from city bosses.

The UK's first Ikea flat-pack homes went on sale in Gateshead last week, aimed at helping low earners on to the property ladder.

The company behind the innovative projects says they're now looking to do similar projects in other areas and are keen on Southampton.

Alan Prole, managing director of Live Smart & Home, which has the exclusive distribution rights to the innovative BoKlok houses in the UK said: "We are actively looking for sites and Southampton is an area where if an opportunity arose then we would be happy to speak to them.

"I can't say Southampton is next, all these things come down to land.

It is down to the local authority to come to us and say we have got a plot.

" Any development would likely hinge on the city backing plans for a 47,000 square foot store on the former Pirelli site in West Quay Road that would create up to 500 jobs.

A batch of 60 timber-framed BoKlok houses went up for grabs at a store in Tyneside on Friday, ahead of the opening of a new development next year in Gateshead.

Prices started at just under £100,000 for a one-bedroom flat, with the homes available to first-time buyers on annual earnings of between £15,000 and £35,000.

When completed, the new site will consist of around 120 flats and townhouses, complete with gardens and children's play areas.

Developer Live Smart said: "The BoKlok house has been designed by leading architects in both the UK and Scandinavia with the aim to provide modern, flexible family living that, importantly, is affordable.

It is almost the only way people can get on the housing ladder - there are millions of households struggling to own their first home.''