LIFE beside the seaside is proving a huge attraction, with a new survey showing that coastal property prices have soared in the past seven years.

But North-East resorts are lagging far behind, with Seaham, in County Durham, still the least expensive coastal area in which to live.

Out of 100 seaside towns in England and Wales surveyed by mortgage lender Halifax, 71 had enjoyed average yearly price increases topping ten per cent over the past seven years.

Over the period, house prices in almost half the towns doubled, while in the Cornish town of Padstow, home of television seafood chef Rick Stein, prices trebled.

The average price of a house by the sea was highest in Sandbanks, Dorset, at £343,797, followed by Lymington at £218,773.

But seaside towns further north saw prices rise at a much lower rate, with the least expensive area emerging as Seaham.

Although the area has seen an increase in property prices of more than 40 per cent since 1995, an average house is still only £44,553.

Homes in Blyth, Northumberland, may be slightly more expensive, at an average of £50,147, but prices in the town have only increased by 35 per cent over the past seven years.

Seaham ward councillor William Gustard said that while he was not surprised by the findings, the town did have a lot to offer.

"I've lived here all my life and I've had no problems," he said. "We've just had some Germans over and they loved it. The town is definitely improving, but there's still a long way to go."