HOUSE prices in the Maldon district continued to rise at the end of last year, bucking the national trend.

Property prices were up 1.3 per cent in December – an increase of 12 per cent year on year.

The average Maldon house price in December was £430,623, latest Land Registry figures show – up £46,000 on the previous year.

Across the East of England, prices fell 0.8 per cent, and the UK saw a 0.4 per cent drop to £294,000 on average.

First-time buyers in Maldon spent an average of £327,000 – £36,000 more than a year ago, and £70,000 more than in December 2017.

Flat owners saw the biggest rise in property prices in the district in December - up 1.6 per cent to £181,647 on average. Over the last year, flat prices rose by 8.3 per cent.

Detached properties were up 1.2 per cent monthly and 11.9 per cent annually to £634,772 on average.

Semi-detached homes were up 1.3 per cent monthly and 13 per cent annually to £390,640.

Terraced houses rose 1.2 per cent monthly and 12.1 per cent annually to £291,530.