ABINGDON saw one of the biggest increases in house prices in the United Kingdom in the past year.

Figures showed the average price of a house in the town rose from £304,728 in 2014 to £352,014 in 2015.

The 15.5 per cent rise made Abingdon the town with the 10th highest increase in the country, with Newham in Greater London experiencing the largest jump of 22.2 per cent.

It comes after the Oxford Mail revealed in October that the cost of buying a house in Oxford had tripled in the past 20 years while wages have barely doubled.

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The research on prices, which was carried out by Halifax, showed the 10 areas with the biggest increase were all in either Greater London or the south east of England.

Halifax housing economist Martin Ellis said: “Those areas that have seen the biggest house price increases over the past year are either in outer London or within close commuting distance of the capital.

“Demand in these areas has risen as rapid house price rises in central London in the past few years have caused increasing numbers of people to look for property in more affordable areas.

“A few towns have experienced modest price falls. These areas are typically still suffering from relatively weak employment and economic conditions, which has dampened local housing demand.”