Portugal's Silver Coast has been tipped as an investment hotspot by local experts, with property prices around half those of the central Algarve.

The potential of the area comes partly from the new Beja Airport, which is due to start operating next year, the overseas property advice site Homesgofast has stated, while the number and quality of golf courses along the Silver Coast also add to the attraction.

According to the firm, a townhouse with a pool generally sells for less than 150,000 Euros, while detached villas cost, on average, under 200,000 Euros.

Nicholas Marr, CEO of Homesgofast, said: "We view the hotspot as the Silver Coast, which is one-hour drive north of Lisbon airport, where properties are normally half the price of the central Algarve, and they've got good quality and potential."

Recently, the European Commission granted Portugal £14.2 billion to help the country develop, with a significant proportion of the funds expected to be ploughed into the Algarve and Faro, both traditionally popular destinations for Britons buying