TWO Sussex towns have been named in the top ten areas in the country for property price growth this year.

Property website Zoopla has released the data which reveals Shoreham and Seaford are among the most sought after towns for homebuyers.

Seaford was fifth on the list with an average property price of £351,888 with Shoreham ninth with £387,248.

Lawrence Hall, from Zoopla, said: "2016 has certainly been a historic year, with the events of the past six months giving rise to potential political uncertainty.

“However, the property market - it seems - remains resilient and property values across Britain have continued to grow."

While Brighton and Hove is often viewed as the most desirable postcode around, pretty Shoreham and Seaford have become increasingly popular.

Shoreham's cafes, waterside pubs and proximity to the South Downs make it popular while Seaford's beach and access to the Seven Sisters Country Park has marked it out as a desirable place to live.

He said that across Britain homes have added around £57 to their value on average each day this year.

He added that commuter towns such as Seaford and Shoreham have seen particular growth as city centre living becomes increasingly less affordable.

The study found that the average home had added £19,348 to its value between January and early December.

Across Britain as a whole, the average house price now stands at around £308,790.

A spokesman for Fox & Sons Estate Agents in Seaford said: “Buyers from outside of Seaford seem to be moving from areas such as Brighton, London and Surrey to find accommodation and there is an overall increase in prospective buyers.

“This property price growth over the past year is likely linked to the increase of outside buyers as well as other developments in the town.”

Zoopla's search figures also showed "garden" was the most popular term by those using its website, followed by "garage" and then “parking”.

The data shows that on average, the South East has the highest priced properties in the country outside of London and the region saw the third biggest price rise at 8.44 per cent.

CHARMING TOWN IS MORE THAN A SUBURB OF BRIGHTON

Argus columnist Tim Ridgway, who lives in Shoreham, says: “Sun, sea and even a stretch of sand – Shoreham has everything you want from a coastal town.

“But its charms go beyond the beach vibe with the bustling town being home to 20,000 or so laid-back souls who put family and community first.

“Shoreham really does have it all – from more than a dozen decent pubs and restaurants to a vibrant arts centre. Its regular Saturday morning food market is a must while rolling countryside is just a short stroll away.

“Oh, and did I mention plenty of free on and off-street parking. With young professionals, families and older people living together, Shoreham is far more than a suburb of Brighton.

“The fact this house price hike hasn’t happened sooner is perhaps because its residents are too humble to boast about it.”

INDEPENDENT SHOPS, RESTAURANTS DRAW IN PEOPLE

Nick Thompson, manager of Inter Sport in Seaford, said: "The house price rise comes as a slight surprise to me considering the awful train service the town has been put through.

"However the continued presence of local independent businesses (for example ToyTown and Huckleberry) is a real draw to the town, new food business ventures including Substation and Baca’s make it an all round nicer place to live.

"The closure of the local nightclub will have put a few off from purchasing but with high quality sports teams and top calibre schooling in the area I guess it is no real surprise at all.”

THE TOP TEN

HERE are the top 10 areas with the strongest property price growth since January, with the average value recorded this month and the percentage increase since January, according to Zoopla:

1. Diss, Norfolk, £305,896, 16.20 per cent

2. Leatherhead, Surrey, £833,631, 14.70 per cent

3. Southall, London, £382,153, 14.55 per cent

4. Crook, County Durham, £121,949, 14.45 per cent

5. Seaford, East Sussex, £351,888, 14.29 per cent

6. Woodford Green, Essex, £616,925, 14.28 per cent

7. Chippenham, Wiltshire, £338,102, 14.14 per cent

8. Northwood, London, £915,207, 14.13 per cent

9. Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, £387,248, 13.80 per cent

10. Upminster, Essex, £552,561, 13.77 per cent