Seaside League for Property Price Rises

The average property in the Kent seaside town now sits at £202,276 - a 12.5% increase since July 2015, according to property website Zoopla.

The South East coast generally has seen substantial property value increases in the last year, with seven of the top 10 seaside climbers located along this shoreline.

Joining the seaside property league's top 10 list of hotspots were Walton-on-the-Naze, Felixstowe, Ramsgate, Hastings, Hayling Island, near Portsmouth and Southend-on-Sea.

When it comes to the most expensive seaside properties, Salcombe in Devon boasts the priciest sea views with average property prices rolling in at £598,230.

Lawrence Hall, a spokesman for Zoopla, said: "If you're considering investing in a beach front property, you should consider those resorts receiving government investment - it does have a positive impact on property values."

Here are the top 10 seaside towns with the biggest percentage change in property values over the past year, with the annual percentage increase in house prices and the average property value there in July 2016:

1. Margate, Kent, 12.54%, £202,276

2. Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, 10.58%, £273,965

3. Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, 10.04%, £212,107

4. Felixstowe, Suffolk, 9.59%, £246,995

5. Porthcawl, Wales, 7.61%, £237,939

6. Llandudno, Wales, 7.56%, £196,074

7. Ramsgate, Kent, 7.17%, £208,901

8. Hastings, Sussex, 6.95%, £244,955

9. Hayling Island, Hampshire, 6.83% £314,746

10. Southend-on-Sea, Essex, 6.81%, £269,276

Here are the seaside towns with the highest property prices and the average property value there in July 2016:

1. Salcombe, Devon, £598,230

2. Aldeburgh, Suffolk, £490,182

3. Southwold, Suffolk £434,618

4. Lyme Regis, Dorset, £402,634

5. Brighton, Sussex, £368,782

6. North Berwick, Scotland, £364,306

7. Port Isaac, Cornwall, £356,962

8. Sidmouth, Devon, £352,896

9. Woolacombe, Devon, £347,507

10. Swanage, Dorset, £330,901

By Vicky Shaw, Press Association