HOUSE prices in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire have rocketed during the past year.

The average cost of homes in Renfrewshire has soared by 8.2 per cent since July 2016, almost double the national average of 4.7 per cent, according to the latest house price index released by estate agents Your Move.

It means the area had the fourth biggest growth rate in Scotland in that period, with only the Orkney Islands, Clackmannanshire and Moray faring better.

In East Renfrewshire, average prices have gone up by 4.5 per cent and the area boasts the second highest values in Scotland, with Edinburgh still narrowly ahead.

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said the price hikes are making it increasingly hard for young people in the property market.

He added: “These figures show that it is going to be more difficult for young people, in particular, to get on the property ladder, forcing them into the private rented sector, where rents are higher.

“The Scottish Government are doing a lot of pro-active work to help people get onto the property ladder. This includes supporting up to 5,000 households to buy their own home through the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme and the new Help to Buy schemes.”

According to Your Move, the average house price in Renfrewshire now stands at £145,876, while the figure for East Renfrewshire is £251,854.

East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton said: “People have always been used to higher house prices in East Renfrewshire as a result of the brilliant local amenities and the quality of schools.

“However, we must recognise the impact this is having on people trying to get on the property ladder, who often find themselves priced out of the market.

“That’s why I’m delighted to see the Scottish Conservatives take a lead by announcing a raft of new housing and planning measures to tackle this issue. We have a clear and ambitious plan to ensure Scotland returns to building 25,000 homes a year, half of which will be affordable housing.”