New figures by the Land Registry revealed that almost one in 12 Newbury homes changed hands last year, racking up 1100 sales for the town’s estate agents.

However, while the average price of a home in the rest of town is £170,000-£200,000, the typical price in Wash Common has rocketed 30% to over £320,000.

Even though Wash Common’s figures are skewed by the lack of smaller homes changing hands, a detached home going for £240,000 a year ago can now fetch £313,000.

Interest rate rises and war in Iraq appear to have done little to slow down price rises in West Berkshire, which rose almost 6% in the year to March, yet the breakdown for Newbury suggests wider fluctuations.

Property prices were up almost 10% in the town centre buoyed by new properties going on the market. In Greenham, prices soared by 13%, but elsewhere in town, house prices fell 3% in Shaw and Turnpike, and 1% in Northcroft. However, these too could be skewed by budget flats going up in the town centre, then sold to social landlords at build cost.

The Land Registry figures are based on sales completed that quarter, so are liable to fluctuate.