WHETHER property prices are on the rise or not, putting your finances into good property is overall the best long term investment you can make in Britain, according to research by Knight Frank. Andrew Harwood, of Knight Frank's Tunbridge Wells office, said: "Eventually the figures always add up in favour of property."

Latest research by the agent, looking at prices over the last five years, has showed that £1 million invested in prime country property in 1996 would be worth £2.525 million today whereas the same money invested in shares would be worth £1.483 million and in gilts worth £1.609 million.

"Over the past five years, property has not seen the rocketing price increases of the late 1980s, but it has still consistently out-performed other investments by a wide margin," said Mr Harwood. "People like to put their money into different types of investment - shares and gilts as well as property - but, overall, property has proved again and again that it will ultimately produce the highest dividends for investors. It is no accident that the major investment made by the British is in their home."