The top 10 towns, which experienced the fastest rising house prices in the past year, were all located outside southern England according the latest research from the Halifax.

In Scotland: Bellshill in Strathclyde, saw a dramatic 46% increase in property prices over the past year taking the cost of an average home from £72,508 in the fourth quarter of 2004, to £105,698 in the first three months of 2005. While property prices in Irvine rose by an average of 45%, Coatbridge (42%), and Motherwell (38%).

In Wales, property prices rose in Ebbw Vale by 42%, Blackwood (41%), Port Talbot (40%).

The average price of a home nationally is £162,840 compared with £241,918 in Greater London where prices are highest, and £105,397 in Scotland, the lowest priced area.

It has been areas in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England that have recorded the most buoyant housing market conditions over the past year, said Martin Ellis, Halifaxs chief economist. As a result, the north/south divide has narrowed to its smallest for seven years.