House prices across Sussex have fallen for the first time in 18 months, according to figures published today.

The region is one of only ten in England and Wales which last month recorded a slip in the cost of homes, down 0.6 per cent in East Sussex and 0.5 per cent in West Sussex.

The slowdown in the market is most acute in the South-East, following the boom years of the Nineties, according to property web site Hometrack.

Experts say people are adopting a "wait and see" attitude towards buying and selling houses in the aftermath of war in Iraq.

Prices in England and Wales fell by 0.1 per cent in April, continuing the 11-month slowdown since last May's peak of 2.6 per cent inflation.

John Wriglesworth, Hometrack's housing economist, said: "Low interest rates, high employment and growing income may remain across the country, but the price rises seen in the North conceal a very unsettled picture in the South."

Counties which had the greatest growth in the past are leading the falls, with cheaper properties gradually closing the gap.

The average price for the ten worst-affected counties is £211,090, compared with those with the biggest rises at £91.810.

In the South-East, 23 counties reported falls, with the highest being 0.9 per cent in Surrey.

Twenty-four counties reported rises, with the largest being 0.6 per cent in County Durham, followed by 0.4 per cent in South Wales and Teesside and 0.3 per cent in Mid Wales and North Wales.

The number of new buyers rose by less than one per cent in April, against an eight per cent rise in the number of new properties listed.

Prices achieving their full asking price fell for the 11th month in succession to 94.5 per cent.

Land Registry figures published in February said the average price of a property in Brighton and Hove was £180,378; in East Sussex it was £164,469 and in West Sussex, £182,109.