Price of houses in Lancaster and Morecambe continues to rise

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the average Lancaster house price in the year to November was £212,624 – a 0.5% increase on October.

The picture was similar to that across the North West, where prices increased by 0.6%.

The rise in Lancaster contributes to the longer-term trend in the area, which has seen property prices in the area grow by 0.5% over the last year.

It means the area ranked 33rd among the North West’s 35 local authorities for annual growth, with the average price in Lancaster rising by £1,000 over the past year.

The highest annual growth in the North West was in Blackburn with Darwen, where property prices increased on average by 10%.

At the other end of the scale, properties in Wyre lost 3.7% of their value.

Across the UK, average house prices in November fell slightly on the month before, but have accelerated by 3.3% over the past year.

Separate figures from the ONS show the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.5% in December, down from 2.6% the previous month.

David Hollingworth, associate director at L&C Mortgages, said: "The surprise dip in inflation is some positive news for borrowers who will have been unsettled by the recent unrest in the gilt markets and what it may mean for mortgage rates.

"Although there may still be increases to come in the months ahead, the fall in inflation will firm up the hopes that the Bank of England will cut the base rate in February."

Mr Hollingworth said the market is unsure the Bank of England will cut rates as far and as quickly as had previously been expected, adding the uncertainty has "seen fixed rates edging higher before the end of the year, something that’s continued into the new year.

"This will have added an unwelcome dollop of uncertainty for borrowers that had been hoping for continued improvement in mortgage rates.

"The base rate is still expected to fall but the question is whether that drop will now be shallower and more gradual.”

He added: "Today’s figures will help to maintain some stability in mortgage rates but those borrowers coming to the end of their current deal are still likely to want to secure a new rate a few months ahead of time.

"That will allow them to dodge any further increases if fixed rates continue to rise but still gives them room to review if things take a turn for the better."