HOUSE prices in Blackburn with Darwen have risen nearly nine per cent year-on-year, according to latest figures.

Statistics from the UK Housing Index show that in October 2019 the average house price was £119,337 which was up 8.8 per cent from 12 months earlier when it was £109,734.

In Hyndburn, the average price rose by 8.1 per cent (£101,293 from £93,688), while Burnley was up 2.8 per cent (from £86,873 from £84,474).

Rossendale also increased by 2.7 per cent to £139,748 and there was another rise in Ribble Valley of 2.1 per cent (£219,985 from £215,406).

The only East Lancashire authority to see a decrease, by 1.7 per cent, was in Pendle where the average price was down to £102,995 from £104,761.

Nationally, the average house price in England increased by 0.5 per cent in the year to October 2019, down from 1.0 per cent in September 2019.

Julia Bracewell, assistant manager of Entwistle Green estate agents in Blackburn, said: “December was a busy month for us and we were booked up to Christmas Eve and now New Year.

“It depends on the area, but we had one property in the popular area of Beardwood in Blackburn where we had 15 viewings and it sold over the asking price.

“We are the biggest group in the country and across the region we have great sales predictions which have gone up and up and we have some offers to take into this year."

Rightmove also predicts that the price of property coming to market will increase by two per cent in 2020.

It said there is now an opportunity to release some pent-up buyer demand that had been building before the general election.

House sellers’ pricing power will be boosted by a lack of other options for potential buyers, Rightmove suggests.

Russell Galley, managing director of Halifax, said housing market prospects for 2020 look “a bit brighter” than in 2019.

He continued: “However the shortage of homes for sale and low levels of house-building will continue to support high prices, while the challenges faced by prospective buyers in raising the necessary deposits may continue to constrain demand.”