Buyers hunting for a home on the Kent coast may need to fork out £150,000 more than 10 years ago - as prices soar in the county's seaside towns.

House prices in coastal spots here have rocketed by as much as 63% in the last decade - more than double the average increase seen in British seaside towns in the same period.

Since 2009, coastal house prices across the nation have risen by 29% - with homes now costing £239,138 on average, according to figures released today by Halifax.

The South East has seen the largest growth in seaside town prices - with the majority of the top 20 spots with the biggest price growth dotted along the region's coastline.

Whitstable and Herne Bay have seen the county's largest rise in coastal town prices in the last 10 years - with average house prices rocketing by 63%. Both are in the top five nationally.

In Whitstable, the average house price in 2009 was £236,196, whereas now it is £384,916 - a growth of just under £150,000.

Just along the coast in Herne Bay prices have risen from £188,808 to £307,691 in the same period - marking a rise of just under £120,000.

Margate and Deal also saw significant rises, with house prices in Margate soaring by an average of 55% in 10 years - from £151,520 to £235,012 - and those in Deal rising by 53% from £197,169 to £301,722.

The rest of Thanet followed closely behind, with a 48% average increase in prices in the last decade.

Halifax managing director Russell Galley said: “Seaside towns are highly popular places to live, offering sought-after scenery, lifestyle and good weather.

"Being by the seaside does come at a price, with the overall marked increase in house prices reflecting the demand for rooms with a sea view.

"The South East coast continues to be home to the most expensive seaside towns in the country, while many of the least expensive are in the north, particularly in Scotland.

"Despite a clear north-south divide in property prices among seaside towns, the continuing price growth in many northern seaside towns over the years suggests the popularity of coastal living isn’t exclusive to the south."

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