Scotland and south east England saw the biggest hike in house prices last year, according to a survey published today.

Thirteen of the top 20 towns which experienced the largest increases across the UK were from the two areas.

Figures from an annual survey by the Bank of Scotland show that Montrose in Angus had the biggest jump, with prices rising 39% on average.

Homebuyers in Winchester, Hampshire, faced the second largest increase, with the cost of a property rising by 38% on average.

In every town surveyed, the average house price was more than £100,000.

And in more than half, the average cost of a house was higher than £200,000.

Inverurie in Aberdeenshire has overtaken Edinburgh as the most expensive place to live in Scotland, up from third in 2006, with prices up 29% to £231,623.

Cumnock in Ayrshire is now the most affordable town north of the border with an average property price below £111,269.

Southern towns and cities remain the most expensive places to live in the UK, with Kensington and Chelsea in London the dearest.

Nelson, Lancashire, is the most affordable town, with an average house price less than £110,000.

Martin Ellis, chief economist at Bank of Scotland, said: "In 2007, 13 of the top 20 towns recording the biggest price rises are from Scotland and the South East.

"In 2006 the most affordable town was Lochgelly with an average price of £96,925.

"Today this distinction goes to Nelson with an average price of £108,320.

"There are now no towns in Britain with an average price below £100,000, and nearly half of all towns have an average value above £200,000."