Property prices in Brighton and Hove are rising by more than £1,000 a month.

Figures released today also revealed the average value of houses in parts of Sussex has topped £200,000 for the first time.

West Sussex is the most expensive part of the county to live, with Brighton and Hove close behind.

The Land Registry revealed the average price of a home, including flats and large detached houses, went up from £179,184 to £193,300 in Brighton and Hove in the past year.

In West Sussex, the equivalent rise was from £188,603 to £206,886 and in East Sussex, £163,110 to £184,315.

The trends heap further hardship on people trying to get a foot on the property ladder.

The Land Registry figures - considered to be the most reliable indication of the property market - relate to the last quarter of last year compared with the same period in 2002. They dispel any fears the property market is in decline .

One of the biggest rises was in terraced houses and flats and maisonettes in Brighton and Hove.

They increased from £204,179 to £219, 990, and from £179,184 to £193,300 respectively.

Estate agents say this reflects the increasing number of luxury flats coming on to the market.

People owning detached houses in Brighton and Hove saw them rise in value from £315,522 to £317,225 and the price of semi-detached homes rose from £210 922 to £218,111.

In East Sussex, there was a £20,000 increase in the price of detached homes, up from £261,799 to £281,966, semi-detached from £158,478 and £176,192 and terraced homes from £132,320 to £152,140.

But the area is the only part of the county where you can still buy a flat for less than £110,000. The price of flats and maisonettes went up from £94,381 to £109,187.

The cost of a detached property in West Sussex rose from £301,220 to £325,707, semi- detached from £181,857 to £199,711, terraced £149,949 to £165,294 and flats and maisonettes from £111,519 to £124,540.