A SOUTH Lakeland town has seen the second highest rise in average property prices in the country over the last 12 months, according to new figures.

Property experts Zoopla revealed statistics showing the average price in Grange-over-Sands is now £274,321, a 10.6 per cent increase from a year ago.

Only the Kent seaside town of Margate saw a higher increase over the same period, where property prices rose by 12.5 per cent.

Angela Cornthwaite, head of property at Poole Townsend at Grange, was surprised at the town's high ranking in the figures, but acknowledged it had been a successful year for the area.

"I would certainly say it has been a really good market in Grange over the last 12 months and I would say we have seen a range of properties selling," she said.

"I think there's a few factors, certainly there's a lot of new builds which potentially stimulates the market, confidence is returning, and we tend to find with the recruitment prospects nearby a lot of people choose to purchase in the South Lakes and commute to places like Barrow, for instance. Grange is ticking a lot of boxes for people.

"It shows no signs of abating. We were worried a little bit with the stamp duty changes but the reality is we've seen no real negative impact at all."

Grange Town Council's Joanna Greenway added that uncertainty over buying properties abroad might be contributing to the increase in popularity.

She said: "I think this is probably the result of increase in baby boomer retirees who are looking to find a nice place in the sun as they come up to retirement age. Possibly people are not looking to buy holiday homes abroad at the moment because of the uncertainty with the EU and what might happen if they do buy in other countries.

"But Grange has always been a popular age to retire to."