Coastal house prices double

The average house price in England and Wales increased 95% over the same period of time.

County Durham recorded the biggest rise over the past decade with the average house price increasing by almost 183% from £38,443 in 2002 to £108,742 in 2012.

All ten of the most expensive seaside towns were on the south coast with eight in the South West.

Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, said: “Seaside towns are still very popular places to live. They offer a unique lifestyle that for many can't be matched elsewhere, with that all important sea view, together with a typically high quality of life and a healthy environment.

"However seaside living often comes at a price. The majority of seaside towns in Wales, East Anglia and the South West have an average house price that is higher than the surrounding area.

“But this is not always the case and good value properties can be found in many seaside towns in the South East and Yorkshire and the Humber, in particular."