Ashford has been one of the least scarred by the housing market crash.

A new report claims the borough has had the lowest percentage fall in prices in the Kent County Council area, of just 2 per cent.

It is only beaten by Sevenoaks, which had an actual increase of 9.6 per cent.

The figures, presented to Ashford Borough Council’s executive committee on Thursday night, show annual rises up to the last quarter of October to December 2008.

The report comes just after consultants for London and Continental Railways predicted that prices in Ashford could rise by up to £12,800 after the new high speed rail service begins at the end of the year.

Average house sale prices for Ashford are currently £355,229 for a detached house; £183,177 for a semi; £152,236 for a terraced and £113,677 for a flat or maisonette.