Depending upon the region, some house prices in England and Wales fell marginally in December, according to Land Registry while others increased slightly.

Figures showed a 0.4% drop in prices during the month, taking the average figure to £184,469.

However there were some regional variations, with the North East seeing a rise of 2.2% in prices.

Other areas to see price rises were the east (1.1%) and London (0.6%).The greatest fall came in the East Midlands where there was a 3.3% decline.

Those with buy-to-let mortgages in areas which continued to see prices rise may enjoy increased demand for their property as increases in price make homes comparatively less affordable there than in other areas.

The figures are in line with a number of recent house price surveys which have shown small declines in prices.

Earlier this week property website Rightmove recorded a 0.3% fall in January.