Western Britain sees biggest house price increases

Homeowners in western Britain have seen the biggest house price increases in the UK over the last decade, the Halifax has reported.

Cornwall saw the biggest rise, with prices increasing by 268% from 1996 - an increase from £53,081 to £195,388.

Anglesey was second, with a 252% rise in prices, followed by Ceredigion in Wales with a 244% rise.

Martin Ellis, Halifax chief economist, said: "Both parts of the UK (Wales and the South West) are popular areas for people seeking to relocate and for those looking for a holiday home."

The slowest price rises were seen in Scotland. Aberdeenshire saw the least growth, with prices increasing by 103% over the decade.

Surrey is the most expensive county to live in the UK, with the average house price now standing at £298, 835, followed by Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Nine out of the ten most expensive counties were in the South East.

The cheapest house prices were found in Blaenau Gwent in Wales, where the average property cost £92,718.

In 1996, there were no counties in which average house prices were over £100,000.

Now, ten counties have an average house price of over £200,000.

(KMcA)