The value of property in Wales has increased more than 27%

The value of property in Wales has increased more than 27% over a 12 month period.

Blaenau Gwent saw the strongest rise across Wales and England at 59%.

This contrasts with a year ago, when properties there were the cheapest in Wales.

Statistics from the Land Registry published on Monday also show that there has been a 40% increase in prices in Neath, Port Talbot and Swansea.

The average cost of a house across Wales and England now stands at more than �175,000.

The cheapest property in England and Wales is in Merthyr Tydfil - with an average price of just under �65,000, followed by Kingston upon Hull at �65,582.

Kensington and Chelsea has the most expensive homes, at an average of �702,553, with 173 properties there selling for more than �1m.

A survey by property website, assertahome.com, found that 35% of house hunters now expect property prices to fall during the coming 12 months.

This compared with 9% in January, while only 57% expect prices to continue rising.

This is in line with June's prediction, but well down on the 6.6% rise people expected to see over the coming 12 months in May.