House prices in West Sussex have risen by 12.6 per cent in the past year, according to latest Land Registry figures.

It means the average property in the county now costs £166,364, compared with £147,767 a year ago.

All regions of England and Wales saw double-digit price rises year-on-year, according to today's Land Registry report.

Across the South East, prices rose by 13.9 per cent on the previous year to an average of £168,111.

In East Sussex average prices increased by 17.5 per cent while in Brighton and Hove they soared by 21.4 per cent.

It is putting pressure on professions such as nurses, council workers, and public service workers who want to live and work in Sussex but cannot afford to.

In West Sussex, detached houses now cost £262,772 compared with £236,422 a year ago. Semi-detached cost £154,732 compared with £136,745 and terraced cost £128,754, up from £111,320. Flats or maisonettes cost £97,791 compared with 79,159.

All figures are based on the last quarter from April to June 2002, compared with April to June 2001.

Simon Swaffer, sales manager for Cubitt and West in Burgess Hill, said: "Over the last couple of years it has been something which is sustained but the indications are that it is not going to continue into the back end of the year.

"Based on my experience of working other areas, this increase is probably unsustainable because of low underlying inflation and unstable stock exchange."

In East Sussex average house prices have risen from £122,096 to £143,445, up 17.5 per cent.

Detached homes cost £228,589 compared with £205,391 last year. Semi-detached cost £135,822 compared with £115,794 and terraced £112,481 compared with £94,266. Flats or maisonettes cost £82,975 compared with £61,340.

In Brighton and Hove average house prices have soared from £132,001 to £160,185, up 21.4 per cent.

Detached homes cost £288,995 compared with £213,612 last year. Semi-detached cost £184,178 compared with £151,553 and terraced cost £183,994 compared with £155,635. Flats or maisonettes cost £123,181 compared with £100,051.

Nationally, the average price of a property is £133,247, up 13.5 per cent on a year ago.