HOUSES in North Yorkshire are the most expensive in the whole of Yorkshire and Humberside, according to the latest statistics from the Halifax.

The figures show the average price of a house in the county is £92,800 - and £88,500 in York.

The prices are higher in the county because the figure includes places like Harrogate - where the average house price is £134,700 - just £30,000 less than greater London.

House prices in the whole of Yorkshire and Humberside have continued to increase in the last quarter - with Leeds also named as a hot-spot where average house prices are listed at £86,250.

A spokesman for the Halifax said many areas in North Yorkshire, including Harrogate, had some of the highest house prices in the country. He said: "Harrogate is not far off the high price levels that are asked in London.

"It is only areas like Selby, where house prices are lower than York and Harrogate, which brings down the county average."

He said terraced houses and city dwellings were still increasing favourites, particularly among first-time buyers.

Ian Corfield, regional general manager for the Halifax, said: "House prices in Yorkshire and Humberside increased by four per cent in the second quarter of the year from their fall of 0.6 per cent in the first three months of 2001.

"The increase is in line with the national average of 4.1 per cent.

"Demand has remained strong throughout the region during the second quarter of the year, however, fewer properties are now available for the same number of buyers.

"Indications are that the active housing market is likely to continue throughout the summer and into the second half of the year. However, any upward movements in interest rates are likely to take the steam out of the market."

Updated: 09:00 Wednesday, July 11, 2001