HOUSE prices in Darlington are following the national trend according to latest figures, which show the cost of a property in the town has risen by 3.4 per cent in the last year.

Land Registry data for England and Wales confirms there is growing confidence in the housing market, with a number of regional variations outside of London.

Nationally house prices rose by one per cent in January, with an annual rise of 4.2 per cent – London house prices rose by 10.9 per cent in a year.

Locally, house prices in Darlington and its immediate districts saw house prices rise by 0.5 per cent in January, with an annual rise of 3.4 per cent.

County Durham as a whole showed falling monthly and annual values, while North Yorkshire reported a modest rise in house prices.

Simon Bainbridge, of Smiths Gore Estate Agents, said: “Our experience has shown a marked upturn in transaction levels since the start of the year and there is a modest but steady improvement reflected in the Land Registry data.

“We are confident that this return of confidence will filter out into the wider area in the coming months.”