UK house prices have continued to soar, but are set to slow later in the year, the Halifax says.

House prices rose by 0.4% last month, according to the influential bank making the average home in the country 16.0% more expensive than in March 2001.

But while March's 16.0% annual price rise figure was among the highest for a decade, it was slightly lower than the 16.9% rate hit in February.

Despite slower growth last month, which comes after February's 1.5% jump, house prices have risen by nearly 9% in the past five months, and the average property now costs £102,227.

Halifax's head of group economics Gary Styles said: "The housing market has been very strong in recent months and the latest figures for March show further significant gains."

Experts predict unemployment fears and weak salary rises would continue to calm the housing market.