House prices in York have risen more in the last year than in nearly every other area of the country, according to figures published this week.

A Land Registry survey shows a 24 per cent hike in the city.

And York estate agent Blenkin & Co, of High Petergate, expects prices to continue rising.

Partner Tim Blenkin said: "If I was coming at it cold, I would have guessed York's prices had gone up 20 to 25 per cent, which is exactly in line with what we predicted last year.

"It has been extremely busy at the start of this year, although I can't say there will be another 25 per cent rise. It's certainly not impossible."

The report states that York's price increase was beaten only by a 26.6 per cent rise in Bath and 34.7 per cent rise in Rutland.

Mr Blenkin said: "There are two factors which have caused this. One is the economy in York itself, and the second is the economy in Leeds.

"There are a number of people who have well paid jobs based in Leeds, but who would much rather live in or near York because it is a lovely cathedral city with great schools and wonderful countryside."

The Land Registry survey, which is due to be released on Wednesday, compared average prices of houses sold between October and December with the same period during the previous year.

The average price of a house in York has now risen to £94,000. This time last year it was £75,000.

Across the country, the average prices of a house rose from £96,867 to £106,452.

Lesley Beattie, who runs Walmgate's Quantum estate agents, said she had put three terraced homes in a single street on the market in the past five weeks.

"All of them sold within hours," she said.

"And they all sold for about £75,000. Last year they would have sold for about £60,000.

"We are seeing big increases in house prices everywhere in the city, and I can see no sign of it stopping at the moment."

Updated: 15:14 Monday, February 26, 2001