An increasing number of first-time buyers (FTBs) are choosing to purchase properties in the suburbs.

That is according to Savills, which said that many are attracted by the way of life and others are mainly interested in the cheaper property prices.

Lucian Cook, director of residential research at the firm, pointed out that the commute into London is not much of a deterrent, particularly when buyers can save thousands of pounds by moving just slightly further away.

"We are definitely seeing an increase in commuting levels and we are seeing the greatest increase at the edge of the commuter limits. Our key stat is that for every extra minute you have to travel, that knocks £1,000 off of the average house price," he said.

"It is £1,000 cheaper but you have to travel for an extra minute, effectively. People are increasingly looking at that kind of trade-off.

"You have the really sexy commuter areas where people are going to move to for quality of life. That would be your traditional commuter areas, the likes of Sussex and county and partly Surrey," continued Mr Cook.

House prices in London increased by 14.5 per cent year-on-year, according to the January Financial Times House Price Index.