House prices in Sussex are continuing to soar with the value of some homes rocketing by more than £40,000 in a year.

Prices have risen for all types of housing as buyers have taken advantage of low interest rates.

Last week's 0.25 per cent rise was the first in four years but estate agents predict it will have little effect.

Figures from the Land Registry today show the average price of a detached house in Brighton and Hove has gone up from £310,710 to £356,994 in 12 months.

The price of a semi-detached house is up from £197,125 to £237,894, terraced properties from £204,067 to £214,362 and flats and maisonettes from £139,229 to £152,772.

In Eastbourne in 2002, the average detached house price was £203,668 but is now £265,802.

A flat now costs on average £124,324, up almost 13 per cent on last year and a semi-detached home now costs £179,117, up from £140,348 last year.

In Lewes, a family home used to cost £235,464 but now a family would have to shell out £294,931.

Flat prices are slightly cheaper than other parts of the county but still top the £100,000 mark at £102,900.The figures, covering July to September, show sales in Sussex slowed slightly, in common with the rest of the UK.

Phil Graves, of estate agents Graves Jenkins, said: "There is no sign of the market softening in residential or commercial properties.

"Brighton and Hove and Sussex are seen as hip places to live by people of all ages and that popularity shows no sign of diminishing.

"I am surprised there has not been a greater price increase in the flat market in Brighton and Hove as more and more younger people are moving in.

"We will wait and see what happens with the rise in interest rates after the traditional slowing down after Christmas.

"I can't see a real slump coming as there still seems to be plenty of people around to pay the asking prices.

"I doubt if we will get back to the early Nineties, with house price falls and negative equity."

East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove prices have increased by more than ten per cent compared to 2002.

This compares to a 24.76 per cent rise in the North. In Greater London, there has been a rise of 5.4 per cent.

The average sale price in Brighton and Hove was £198,274 compared to £181,184 between July September 2002.

It makes a house in the city more expensive than the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Havering, Sutton and Waltham Forest.

The average price of properties in East Sussex has gone up by more than £20,000 in the past year from £163,931 to £184,898 and in West Sussex by more than £24,000 from £184,268 to £208,314.