Strong house price growth was recorded in Merthyr Tydfil between 2002 and 2007.

A new report from Halifax has highlighted that property prices in the Welsh town increased by 203 per cent per square metre (m2) in that time.

That means Merthyr Tydfil saw larger price growth in the last five years than any other part of the UK.

"When looking at property prices on a square metre basis, there has been a huge divergence in house price performance across the UK over the past five years, ranging from a rise of 203 per cent in Merthyr Tydfil to 30 per cent in Camberley," said Martin Ellis, chief economist at Halifax.

"Despite these differences, there has been little change in the composition of those areas with the most and least expensive properties.

"The same ten London boroughs are still the most expensive areas in the country whilst four of the least expensive towns in 2002 remain amongst the ten least expensive places," he added.

Kensington & Chelsea was the UK''s most expensive region, with house prices per m2 recorded at £8,386.