House prices rise 0.9%

Prices rose by 0.9% last month, meaning that house prices are now just 0.3% lower than at the same time last year. The average home in the UK now costs £161,554 - £8,800 higher than at its recent low point in April.

"Price drops in many regions of the UK and in particular London and the South East are easing, and in some parts of London even increasing as demand overtakes supply - particularly in the premium, higher end of the market," said Nigel Lewis, of property website Findaproperty.com