Pressure on Sussex and other parts of the South East from people moving out of London is set to continue, according to a new report.

More than 48,000 people a year moved out of London in the Nineties, many of them heading for the coast and countryside of the South East, says a study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The property boom in the South East was fuelled by Londoners quitting the capital, says the foundation, an independent charity carrying out research into housing and social care.

In Brighton and Hove, property prices have soared over the last year because of huge demand from Londoners.

Average house prices topped £100,000 for the first time earlier this year as the towns recorded the second highest growth in property values anywhere in the country.

But prices in this area are still relatively cheap for buyers from London, where prices were pushed up by demand from an influx of overseas workers.

The foundation's report into the impact of migration on housing requirements, called On The Move, says the population of the South East is expected to continue to increase by 50,000 a year. Researchers say this pressure will come from migration out of London and natural growth in the population.

The report states: "In regional terms, the greatest pressures will continue to be felt in Southern England, with the population of the South East region alone expected to increase by 50,000 a year."

Local estate agents say the property boom has come to a halt and prices are now stabilising. There is no longer a huge rush of people looking to get out of London and move to the coast, but still a steady flow of inquiries.

David Goldin, south east regional director of estate agents Fox and Sons, said: "Migration from London has been one of the biggest reasons for the price boom in Brighton and Hove.

"Demand for homes in the Brighton conurbation increased quite rapidly over the last year. There was an avalanche of interest from London in 1999, with people moving to be near the coast or buying flats or houses as a weekend base or holiday home."

While rising prices can be good news for people already on the property ladder, the increased demand from London has made it harder for first-time buyers. Many can no longer afford to consider property in central Brighton.