HOUSE prices in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire are continuing to rise year on year, new figures have revealed.

According to the Registers of Scotland, East Renfrewshire boasted the highest average house price in the country last year, at £252,870.

The average price of properties in the area has rocketed up by almost a quarter in the last decade – nearly twice as much as the rise nationally over that period.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Renfrewshire, the average price of a home last year was £139,422 – more than 10 per cent higher than in 2007.

There were 1,784 homes sold in East Renfrewshire last year, with the volume of sales dropping by more than 15 per cent over the past 10 years.

In Renfrewshire, 3,777 properties were sold in 2017 – a drop of almost 31 per cent in the past decade.

Paul Masterton, East Renfrewshire MP, said: “House prices in East Renfrewshire have historically always been above the norm.

“This reflects the good schools and quality of life throughout the constituency. However, we must ensure we help those getting on the property ladder.”

The value of the property market in East Renfrewshire was £451million last year – a rise of 7.4 per cent on the previous year.

And, in Renfrewshire, the market was worth £527m – rising by 5.5 per cent between 2016 and 2017.

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “Rising house prices make it more difficult for young people to get on the property ladder.

“The fact that Renfrewshire house prices have risen by 10 per cent in the last decade will not have helped but one per cent a year is nowhere near the 25 per cent that properties in East Renfrewshire houses have risen by over that period.

“The Scottish Government is working to help people get onto the property ladder.”