SINCE 2003 average property prices in Bradford on Avon have consistently been above £200,000 and for the past four years they have been substantially above the national average.

In December 2005 the average property price in the town was £230,246 making it the most expensive town to live in west Wiltshire. And the average detached house is now well over £300,000.

Even a flat in Bradford has an average price of £169,000 and in most other places in west Wiltshire that would buy you a standard two-bedroom house. A semi-detached property is £213,651 and a terraced house will set you back around £189,000 on average.

Due to its picturesque setting and close proximity to Bath, Bradford is very popular but it is out of reach for the majority of first-time buyers. Prices have gone down slightly over the last six months but they are still far higher than in most places. Because of this Bradford tends to attract more mature buyers.

Many people want to live in the town but very few can afford it. With lots of beautiful scenery, superb restaurants, quaint shops and cosy pubs it is not hard to see why prices have rocketed there.