House prices in Sussex are continuing to soar with the value of some homes rocketing by more than £40,000 in a year.

Prices have risen for all types of housing as buyers take advantage of low interest rates.

Last week's 0.25 per cent rise was the first in four years but estate agents predict it will have little effect.

Figures from the Land Registry today show the average price of a detached house in Brighton and Hove has gone up from £310,710 to £356,994 in 12 months.

The price of a semi- detached house is up from £197,125 to £237,894, terraced properties from £204,067 to £214,362 and flats and maisonettes from £139,229 to £152,772.

In Mid Sussex some house prices have rocketed by almost £60,000.

The average price of a detached home is now £358,413 compared with £299,007 at the same time last year.

The price of a semi-detached house has risen by £44,000 from £170,237 to £214,601.

Flats and maisonettes now cost on average £135,514 compared to £116,361 - a rise of more than £19,000. In Crawley the average price of a detached family home has shot up to £289,062 from £234,946, an increase of almost £55,000.

Semi-detached houses in the north of the county now cost on average £169,494 compared to £152,444 and flats and maisonettes have tipped the £100,000 mark, shooting up more than £30,000 from £95,024 to £125,044.

In Horsham the rise was not as dramatic but still large, with a detached home now costing £339,861 compared to £302,794 in 2002.

Flat prices there have stayed relatively stable with just a small increase from £122,007 to £123,919.

The figures covering July to September show sales in Sussex slowed slightly, in common with the rest of the UK.

Phil Graves, of estate agents Graves Jenkins, said: "There is no sign of the market softening in residential or commercial properties.

"Brighton and Hove and Sussex are seen as hip places to live and that popularity shows no sign of diminishing.

"I am surprised there has not been a greater price increase in the flat market in Brighton and Hove as more and more younger people are moving in.

"We will wait and see what happens with the rise in interest rates after the traditional slowing down in the market after Christmas.

"I can't see a real slump coming as there still seem to be plenty of people around to pay the asking prices.

"I doubt if we will get back to the early Nineties, with house price falls and negative equity."

The Land Registry figures are regarded as the most accurate.

Compared to 2002, East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove have seen prices rise by more than ten per cent.