House price growth is strongest in more affordable commuter locations around Manchester and Glasgow, with 10 of the 15 fastest-growing areas surrounding the two cities, according to Rightmove.

Falkirk recorded the highest annual increase, with average asking prices rising 13.5% to £183,596. Rochdale followed with growth of 8.7% to £238,115, while St Helens saw prices rise 7.8% to £192,570.

Other strong performers included Port Talbot, where asking prices increased by 7.7%, and Wishaw, up 7% to £140,127. Of the 15 fastest-growing commuter markets, 11 had average asking prices below £250,000.

Colleen Babcock, Rightmove's property expert, said: “Our data highlights two very different stories playing out across some of Britain’s commuter markets. In the more affordable locations around Glasgow and Manchester, asking prices are rising strongly as buyers look for value within reach of major cities. Meanwhile, some of the more expensive commuter hotspots are seeing prices ease, which could create opportunities for buyers who may previously have been priced out.”

Several of the more expensive commuter locations in southern England recorded falling asking prices, Haywards Heath saw the largest decline, down 4.8% to £461,066, followed by Maidenhead, down 3.9%, and Bath, where prices fell 3.8%.

Glasgow itself recorded the strongest annual asking price growth among the six cities analysed, up 2.9%, followed by Manchester at 1.8%. Asking prices fell by 3.1% in London, while Birmingham and Bristol both recorded annual declines of 0.6%.