The desire to find the ideal property encourages some Britons to relocate hundreds of miles, research from an insurance firm has claimed.

While nine per cent said they had moved 400 miles or more in pursuit of their dream home, Zurich said that the average British homeowner had moved a total of 125 miles between properties and expected to live in five homes during their lifetime.

With some 18 per cent of people questioned planning to move home soon, Steve Gilbert, home underwriting manager at Zurich Insurance, said: "The British obsession with finding the perfect property is still going strong, with homeowners prepared to move hundreds of miles to find the perfect home in the perfect location."

Topping the list of the dream area to live was the south-west, with the south-east, Scotland and the north-west also proving popular among homeowners.

Recent research from the Halifax suggested that 50 per cent of homebuyers would like a detached house with 22 per cent keen on buying a new build property.

Three bedrooms, a home office and an open-plan layout were also among the most desired home features.