HOUSE prices increased by between 1.3 and 1.6 per cent in Cheshire West and Cheshire East in July, new figures show.

The average Cheshire West and Chester house price in July was £256,958, Land Registry figures show – a 1.6 per cent increase on June.

The average Cheshire East house price in July was £284,855, - a 1.3 per cent increase on June.

Across the UK, the average UK house price leapt by 15.5 per cent in the year to July, marking the biggest increase in 19 years.

But the increase in annual inflation was mainly because of ‘a base effect’ from the falls in prices seen this time last year, as a result of changes in the stamp duty holiday, the ONS said.

Over the last year, the average sale price of property in Cheshire West rose by £23,000 – putting the area 32nd among the north west’s 39 local authorities with price data for annual growth.

The average sale price of property in Cheshire East rose by £27,000 – putting the area 27th.

The winners

Owners of terraced houses saw the biggest improvement in property prices in Cheshire West and Chester in July – they increased 1.8 per cent, to £195,058 on average. Over the last year, prices rose by 9.6 per cent.

Owners of semi-detached houses saw the biggest improvement in property prices in Cheshire East in July – they increased 1.5 per cent, to £264,784 on average. Over the last year, prices rose by 11.1 per cent.

First steps on the property ladder

First-time buyers in Cheshire West spent an average of £210,000 on their property – £19,000 more than a year ago, and £47,000 more than in July 2017.

By comparison, former owner-occupiers paid £297,000 on average in July – 40.9 per cent more than first-time buyers.

First-time buyers in Cheshire East spent an average of £221,000 on their property – £20,000 more than a year ago, and £55,000 more than in July 2017.

Former owner-occupiers paid £333,000 on average in July – 51.2 per cent more than first-time buyers.

How do property prices compare?

Buyers paid 18.4 per cent more than the average price in the north west (£217,000) in July for a property in Cheshire West.

Meanwhile, buyers paid 31.2 per cent more than the average price in the north west in July for a property in Cheshire East.