The ASPC said the average house price was �187,305

New figures from the Aberdeen Solicitors' Property Centre showed the average house price for the first quarter of this year was �187,305.

This compared with an average price of �168,071 in the final quarter of 2006.

The increase has led to fears that many people in the area could be put off moving home.

ASPC chairman John Macrae said: "We in the business get a little bit concerned when we see our prices match the UK average, which is skewed by the south east of England.

"People who might generate the internal market in Aberdeen are actually getting a little bit frightened about moving house.

"While they know they would do very well selling their home, they are quite concerned about how difficult it will be to find and purchase a new house that meets their requirements."

The figures showed 1,436 properties were sold through ASPC in the first quarter of the year while 1,738 were put on the market.

'Strong demand'

Mr Macrae said this suggested the problem of supply and demand was easing, which would make finding and buying a new home slightly easier.

He added: "All sectors of the housing market are showing strong growth and there is nothing in our knowledge about what the future holds to suggest there are adverse factors which will counteract the continuing strong demand."

Aberdeen was last year named as Scotland's property hotspot for 2006 by the Bank of Scotland, with the average house price rising by 27%.

The city was the only place in Scotland to feature in the top 20 best performing towns across the UK.