The Land Registry has launched its first official, independent House Price Index (HPI).

Using Land Registrys comprehensive property data, the new seasonally-adjusted index will appear monthly, making average house prices available at national, regional, county and London borough level.

Ted Beardsall, Land Registry deputy chief executive, said: "The Land Register provides the most complete set of house price data for England and Wales. We believe that our new House Price Index is more timely and will become the authoritative and most accurate reflection of average house price movements in the country."