Demand for detached houses boomed during the lockdowns, driving up prices three times faster than for flats.

Buyers paid an average price of £486,595 for a detached property in December 2020, a 10% increase on December 2019, according to Halifax.

Semis were up 6.3% and terrace houses were also in demand, with values rising 5.8% to £202,540. Flats recorded the smallest increase, of 3.2%, to an average price of £146,717.