Price growth has been strongest in the regions of the north

Average house prices rose by a staggering 65% in the town, way ahead of the national average.

The survey showed that house prices in the north and west of the UK rose far more quickly than those in the south.

However, London and the surrounding counties remain the most expensive places to live, with the 50 most pricey towns being in south-east England.

'Year of the north'

The top 30 towns for price growth were all outside the M25.

At the end of 2002, the average property in the south cost three times as much as in the north.

During the past year the gap has narrowed and house prices in the south are now worth just 2.3 times those in the north.

"2003 has undoubtedly been the year of the north and we expect this trend to continue in the coming 12 months," said Jane Pridgeon, managing director of Halifax estate agents.

Market momentum

On Wednesday, the Nationwide building society concluded that UK house prices had risen by more than 15% during 2003.

Its survey added that the price of the typical house rose by more than �18,000 to just under �135,000 over the year.

Looking ahead, Nationwide said it expected house prices to rise 9% during 2004.

However, it warned that most growth was expected during the first half of the coming year, as the momentum already built into the housing market carries over into early 2004.

The 10 towns with the strongest house price gains
Town	Ave price 2002	Ave price 2003	% price increase
Brighouse	72,205	119,070	65
Ashington	54,564	89,654	64
Spennymoor	57,480	90,665	58
Market Drayton	113,483	177,069	56
Prudhoe	97,230	149,325	54
Seaham	57,462	88,241	54
West Bromwich	71,194	108,788	53
Ammanford	61,756	94,149	53
Whitchurch	115,130	173,581	51
Consett	63,943	95,801	50
Source: Halifax