WHILE most towns in west Wiltshire have prices in line with the national average or just below it, house prices in Warminster are above average at £214,774, continuing a trend which has been apparent for the last five years.

At the beginning of last year the average price peaked at £233,000 before a sharp drop in the middle of 2005 when prices went below £200,000. Since then prices have risen sharply and are now nearly as high as they were at the end of 2004.

There are still some flats in the town with an average price of around £85,000 but if you are looking for an average detached home you could end up paying at least £300,000.

Melvin Davis, from Davis & Latcham estate agents which is based in Warminster, says that a lot of people move to the town from outside the area.

The lettings market is also strong in Warminster. Nigel Gaffney, of Warminster-based WSB Property Management Ltd, said Warminster continues to be the most sought-after location for all types of rented accommodation with every property let in about a week of it being advertised.

A modern two-bed house in the town can command a rent of about £550pcm and family homes can achieve an average of £650pcm.