The north is now overtaking the south for price growth, research says

The average price of a house in the UK stood at �154,503 during April to June this year, compared to �65,025 in the same period in 1993.

But, while the south remains the area with the most expensive prices, the north has seen the greatest growth in prices, the study found.

Surrey is the most expensive county in the UK, with the average property costing �281,451, closely followed by Greater London at �243,346.

TOP THREE COUNTIES WITH BIGGEST PRICE RISES* Dorset, south west - 218% to �197,318 from �61,999 Cornwall, south west - 213% to �161,691 from �51,640 Co Armagh, N Ireland - 213% to �95,165 from �33,173 *Average prices in Q2 2003 compared with Q2 1993

In contrast, West Glamorgan is the least expensive with the average home costing �89,621. South Humberside is the second cheapest with a price tag of �91,498 on the average house.

But after analysing 10 years of house price data across 60 counties, Halifax Estate Agents found northern counties have moved ahead in terms of price growth.

'Outperform'

Over the last 12 months, house price inflation data showed the average cost of a house in Dumfries and Galloway has risen by 48%, closely followed by Dyfed at 44% and South Humberside at 36%.

Meanwhile, in the south, prices in Wiltshire have increased by a meagre 2%.

But the study did add that the figures were derived from an arithmetic average of prices of houses on which an offer of a mortgage has been granted.

BOTTOM THREE COUNTIES WITH LOWEST HOUSE PRICE RISES Grampian, Scotland - 47% to �100,420 from �68,517 Central Scotland - 55% to 90,198 from �58,316 Strathclyde, Scotland - 58% to �91,912 from �58,124

As the prices are not standardised, the average price can be affected by changes in the sample every three months.

Halifax Estate Agents managing director Jane Pridgeon said: ""There has been a huge variation in house price growth across the country over the past 10 years.

"But there is little doubt that the majority of counties have done very well with around 80% seeing increases of over 100%.