Steffan Aquarone, who represents North Norfolk, added that a "plague" of holiday homes was "carving the core" out of Norfolk's coastal villages.

He made the comments in a House of Commons debate he secured about the challenges facing coastal communities.

North Norfolk MP Steffan Aquarone (Image: Parliament TV)

The Liberal Democrat MP told fellow MPs: "In North Norfolk we have been plagued by huge levels of second homes and empty homes.

"Outside of the City of London we have the highest level of homes which are empty or infrequently used in all of England.

"These properties are carving the core out of many smaller and historic communities and, in too many........

© Eastern Daily Press