All regions in England and Wales saw prices rise

Statistics released on Monday by the Government agency show that Wales had the highest average price increase for the second quarter in a row.

Anglesey in north Wales headed the list, with prices going up by almost half in the past year.

The area's 49% rise is followed by steep rises in Blaenau Gwent, Carmarthenshire, and Caerphilly.

Average house price increases England & Wales £161,665 to £187,971 (16.27%) Wales £105,382 to £135,162 (28.26%) North west £105,989 to £133,878 (26.31%) Yorks & Humber £106,838 to £133,552 (25.00%) North £99,718 to £123,606 (23.96%) West Midlands £133,538 to £159,203 (19.22%) East Midlands £128,428 to £151,405 (17.89%) South West £175,128 to £201,156 (14.86%) East Anglia £153,874 to £174,948 (13.70%) South east £204,453 to £227,991 (11.51%) Greater London £262,044 to £287,470 (9.70%)

Figures supplied by county council or unitary authorities showed that seven out of the top 10 highest average price rises were in Wales.

The statistics reflect the three months until September 2004.

The highest property price rise in England was Blackburn , which had an average price rise of 40% across all types of property.

Greater London and the south east had the smallest average price increases.

In Windsor and Eton this was just 5%, compared to the average national price increase of 16.27%.

The average house price in England and Wales for the quarter was £187,971, an annual increase of 16.27%, compared to an average of 16.98% for the last quarter.

The report compares average prices and volume of sales with those for the same quarter in 2003.

It also gives a breakdown of the average sale prices of old and new properties by property type.

The figures are taken into account by the Bank of England, along with other housing market and economic indicators.

All regions in England and Wales showed an increase in average prices.

The number of houses sold increased by 6.35% from 290,637 in 2003 to 309,101 for the same period in 2004.