There are regional variations

Competition among parents with young children has driven prices up in areas close to good schools, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The organisation says there are wide regional variations in the amount parents will pay.

People in the West Midlands pay the most and those in London the least.

The study was based on reports from 220 chartered surveyors estate agents.

Its estimates of the school effect are more conservative than other recent studies.

Research by the London School of Economics said property close to a good primary school could add 33% onto the price.

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, people in the West Midlands are willing to pay the most to get their children into a top state school, paying an average of 16% more for their property, while those in London paid the least at just 7%.

Average increases West Midlands - 16% Wales, North, North West and South -13% South East 10% London 7%

The organisation's housing spokesman Jeremy Leaf said: "Good state schools are a deciding factor for many house buyers.

"If private schools are financially out of their reach, they are prepared to move and pay a premium.

"What is particularly interesting is the regional differences - Londoners being prepared to pay the least, half that of the West Midlands to secure their school place, and the fact that primary schools seem to be more important than secondary schools."