THE future of the countryside is in "jeopardy" after a decade of Labour government because young people are forced to leave in search of homes and jobs, Gordon Brown's top rural adviser will warn today.

Stuart Burgess, the Prime Minister's rural advocate, will deliver a damning assessment of life in rural communities where a lack of services and affordable homes for young people leaves them with little choice but to leave areas where they grew up.

In his annual report to the PM, Mr Burgess warns of a "distinct lack of opportunities to develop professional careers locally".

"We need to ensure that the climate is right to attract high quality jobs to rural areas, break the cycle of low aspirations and inspire young people to fulfil their potential and play an active role in our society."

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And in a bleak message to Mr Brown, who has faced accusations of neglect towards rural areas, Mr Burgess warned: "My clear message is that challenges for rural young people need addressing positively and urgently and that failure to act will put the future viability of our rural communities at risk."

The report is especially embarrassing for the Government because it echoes an almost identical plea made shortly after Mr Brown became Prime Minister in 2007. At that time Mr Burgess warned: "Without young people, our beloved rural communities will die."

Weeks later Mr Brown vowed in his first party conference speech as Labour leader: "In order to be the country we should be, Britain must protect and cherish not just our cities, but our countryside too."

But in today's report, Mr Burgess, chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities, said young people still have "deep concerns" about housing, work, transport, training and social exclusion. Such issues prevent them living in the countryside.

"Without young people to provide a work force, rural economies are unable to fulfil their full potential and rural communities can go into a decline," said Mr Burgess.

"On top of this, lack of broadband and mobile phone coverage in many rural areas is hitting young people and businesses alike – be it through recruitment and employment, better access to learning and support services or enjoying the connectivity that has become an everyday feature of urban youth culture, such as joining a social network or getting Internet help with homework."

Last night it was claimed Exmoor is a "classic example" of the threat posed by an exodus of the young.

Conservative MP Ian Liddell- Grainger said: "Many of us in rural constituencies have been warning of this for a very long time.

"Exmoor is a classic case in point. House prices are among the highest in the South West and wage levels among the lowest. The local community college hasn't got the resources it needs to offer a full range of post-16 education so students move on to colleges in Taunton and Bridgwater – and they don't come back."

Mr Liddell-Grainger blamed mere "token gestures" to provide low-cost housing.

A Downing Street spokesman said the Government will "look carefully at the points raised".

"We will continue to work with the commission to ensure we do all we can to understand and address the needs of those living in rural areas, especially those of the younger generation, who are so crucial to building Britain's future," he said.