HOUSE prices in Bolton increased by more than 10 per cent over the last year, while first-time buyers are spending more than ever on the property market, new figures show.

A 0.5 per cent boost in February contributes to the long-term trend, with the average Bolton house price now standing at £154,757, according to the Land Registry.

In February, first-time buyers in Bolton spent an average of £129,000 on their property – £12,000 more than a year ago, and £31,000 more than in January 2016.

By comparison, former owner-occupiers paid £171,000 on average in February – nearly a third more than first-time buyers.

Owners of flats saw the biggest improvement in property prices in Bolton in February – with an increase of 1.1 per cent to £98,690, contributing to an eight per cent rise over the past pandemic year.

Over the month, the picture was less good than that across the North West, where prices increased 1.3 per cent, but Bolton outperformed the national average, which remains unchanged.

The average sale price of property in Bolton rose by £15,000 – putting the area 21st among the North West’s 43 local authorities.

Prices for detached, semi-detached and terraced properties also increased over the last year.

The most expensive properties in the North West were in Trafford – £328,000 on average, which are twice as much as in Bolton.