Rochester and Dartford have been named in a list of the top ten areas for property price increases in 2015.

The average price of a property in Rochester now stands at £236,137 - up from £203,856 in 2014.

Dartford average property prices increased from £226,344 in 2014 to £262,642 this year.

Those represent increases of 15% and 16% respectively. The biggest increase was in the London borough of Newham, up 22% to £319,522.

The other towns on the top ten list were Enfield, Royston, Redbridge, Leigh-on-Sea, Abingdon, Croydon and Bexley.

Some areas recorded small declines in house prices this year, including Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales, Colwyn Bay in north Wales, Durham, and Coalville in Leicestershire.

The country's most expensive area, Kensington and Chelsea, saw prices rise by only 1 per cent in the past 12 months.

The data has been released by Halifax, whose housing economist Martin Ellis said: 'Those areas that have seen the biggest house price increases over the past year are either in outer London or within close commuting distance of the capital.

"Demand in these areas has risen as rapid house price rises in central London in the past few years have caused increasing numbers of people to look for property in more affordable areas.

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'A few towns have experienced modest price falls. These areas are typically still suffering from relatively weak employment and economic conditions, which has dampened local housing demand.'