House prices are continuing to rocket throughout Sussex, according to the latest figures from the Land Registry.

The price of an average detached house in Brighton and Hove soared by £28,000 in the last year.

In West Sussex, the price of similar properties also went up by £28,000 and in East Sussex by £24,000.

The registry is accepted as the most accurate reflection of the property market as its figures are based on actual sales.

Its latest figures compare prices in the first quarter of this year with those in the same period last year.

They show the average price of a property in Brighton and Hove has topped the £150,000 mark for the first time and terrace houses are now the third most expensive in England and Wales.

The average price of a detached property in the city is now £265,109.

Some of the largest increases were in the middle market sector. Prices of semi-detached properties in Brighton and Hove are now an average £170,086, while terrace homes are, for the first time, more expensive with the average price at £172,472.

Only Greater London and Windsor have more expensive terrace houses.

At the bottom end of the market, flats and maisonettes in the city are being purchased for an average price of £115,692, up from £92,452 in January to March 2001.

In East Sussex, the average price of a detached house is now £211,956. Semi-detached houses are an average £127,757, while terrace houses increased in value to £106,443, up by more than £16,000.

Flats and maisonettes in East Sussex increased in value to £75,400, a rise of more than £14,000.

In West Sussex, the average price of a detached house is now £253,145. Semi-detached properties increased in value to £148,595, terrace houses to £121,373 and flats and maisonettes to £91,302, all up by between £16,000 and £17,000.

The figures compare with an average property price for the whole of England and Wales of £121,881.

Phil Graves, of Brighton-based estate agents and developers Graves Jenkins, said: "Property prices are continuing to rise because interest rates are low, lenders are being more competitive and people want to live in and move to Sussex. But it is foolish to think it will go on forever."