Property located in market towns costs more than in towns that neighbour them, according to new research from Halifax Estate Agents.

The research found that 73 per cent of market towns have higher average prices than those towns near to them or neighbouring them and 70 per cent of market towns have seen house prices grow more than the average for England.

Colin Kemp from Halifax Estate Agents, said: "Home buyers continue to be attracted to the high quality of life offered by market towns and are prepared to pay a premium to live there.

"Most market towns have higher house prices than other towns in their county and the majority have also seen stronger house price growth than the English average over the past five years."

The most expensive market town in England is Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire with an average house price of £574,211.

The cheapest properties in market towns were found in the north of England with the cheapest being in County Durham. However, market towns in the north of England saw the strongest rises in house prices over the last five years.

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