HOUSE prices in North Yorkshire have climbed more slowly than other counties in the North East and Cumbria - yet it remains one of the region's most expensive areas.

In fact, North Yorkshire's average house price of £94,350 remains second only to Newcastle's, which has hit the £100,000 mark. The average price for Cumbria, Northumbria, Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire combined stands at £83,500, an increase over the previous quarter of 4.97 per cent.

That is the conclusion of the latest quarterly House Price Survey from Northern Rock which looks at price movements over the three months to January.

The building society reports that while North Yorkshire had lower levels of growth than other areas in the region, all housing types were still experiencing "substantial price increases" ranging from four per cent to 5.1 per cent.

The average price of its three bedroom semi-detached properties now stands at £101,550, making North Yorkshire the third area to exceed the six-figure mark following Newcastle and North Tyneside.

Surveyors reported a "large increases in purchase prices across the full spectrum of housing types."

But Sheila Hardwick, Northern Rock's research manager confirmed today that high prices in York and Harrogate had helped to influence the high figures in North Yorkshire.

That makes sense of last week's Evening Press report in which a search for the lowest-price property for first-time buyers in the city revealed a £75,000 home in Fossway which needed major underpinning work costing about £20,000. The property has now been bought by developers.

Major estate agents in the city quoted the lowest house prices on offer at £104,950.

So how affordable are houses on average throughout North Yorkshire? And how have they appreciated?

A four-bedroom detached will cost on average £170,150 - 15.32 per cent more than in January last year.

A three-bedroom semi is priced at £101,550 - 17.26 per cent more than in January, 2003.

A three-bedroom terrace house costs on average £84,350 - 16.59 per cent more than a year ago.

A two-bedroom terrace costs on average £71,150 - 18.48 per cent more than in January last year.

A two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow costs on average £86,950 - 16.79 per cent more than a year ago.

A two-bedroom flat averages £66,100 - 16.57 per cent more than a year ago.

Updated: 08:47 Monday, March 01, 2004