The number of empty homes (vacant for more than six months) across England has risen for the second year running - representing £53.6bn worth of vacant stock, analysis by modular homes provider Project Etopia shows.

The number of long-term vacant properties rose 5.3% to 216,186 in the 12 months to October 2018 according to the latest MHCLG figures, following a 2.6% rise the previous year.

Prior to this, the number of long-term vacant properties had dropped every year since 2008. Of all towns and cities in England, Portsmouth saw the biggest percentage rise in long-term empty homes last year, with 101.5% more properties standing empty, totaling 939.

Hartlepool saw the second biggest rise (53.8% to 726), while Eastbourne posted the third largest increase (48.4% to 518).

Birmingham had the highest overall number in the country with 4,283 long-term vacant homes, barely changed on the previous year and rising just 0.07%, followed by Durham with 4,130 and Bradford with 4,090.

London has also seen another rise in the number of long-term empty homes, its second increase since 2009. The total number of long-term vacant properties in the capital grew 11.1% to 22,481 in 2018 — representing £10.7bn worth of property.