EVERY town in the UK has an average house price above the £100,000 mark for the first time ever, research today revealed.

But property values in the north are increasing at a slower rate than elsewhere in the UK, figures released by the Halifax show.

Homes in the three northern regions increased in value by an average of 5.6 per cent. London has seen the biggest prices rise in England over the last 12 months, set at 14.9 per cent.

Househunters in Bolton can expect to pay £134,034 for a standard property.

Martin Ellis, chief economist at Halifax, said: "House prices continue to rise in a tight market but there are emerging signs that pressure on householders' finances, partly due to the rise in interest rates since last August, is dampening housing demand. We expect the higher level of interest rates, negative real earnings growth and above inflation council tax bill increases to lead to slower house price growth over the coming months."