A coastal town renowned as a retirement destination continues to be a star performer in the property stakes, the latest house prices study reveals.

Homes in Bexhill have jumped in value by 12 per cent in the past year up to September, sending average prices up from £174,788 to £195,615.

The resort has enjoyed recent national attention with the £8 million reopening of the Grade I-listed De La Warr Pavilion on its seafront.

Bexhill is also part of a multi-million pound regeneration programme with its 1066 neighbours, Hastings and St Leonards.

But the study, by the respected Halifax House Price Index, suggests Bexhill's house price rise is more linked to its popular retirement image.

Estate agents in Bexhill questioned the validity of the figures.

Allan Knight, director at Chris Campbell and Company, said: "I would say that the upper end of the market has probably stayed level but the under £250,000 market has slightly risen.

"However, the trouble with the Halifax Price Index figures is that it doesn't cover every transaction, unlike the Land Registry which is probably more reliable."

Elsewhere in the report, a mixed picture has emerged in other Sussex towns and cities, helping ease concerns about affordability in some parts.

Seaford has seen a modest four per cent fall in average prices, dropping from £196,119 to £188,784 this year.

Experts said the town is gaining popularity with first-time buyers due to its comparitively affordable homes and good transport links to Brighton and London.

Halifax said Brighton has recorded a dip of two per cent, from £204,664 last year to £200,143 now and in Hove by five per cent from £215,498 to £203,762.

They said garden flats and period terraces priced beneath the £250,000 stamp duty threshold continue to attract strong interest in the city.

Prices in St Leonards shot up by ten per cent and in East Grinstead they rose by nine per cent, from £242,455 to £263,899. A healthy rise of seven per cent was also seen in Littlehampton.

The average value of homes there jumped from £194,550 to £188,784. However, falls of six per cent were recorded in Chichester, Eastbourne and Lewes.