House prices break through £100k barrier - papers 19th Jan

The increase contrasts to 2001 when, according to Halifax, the average house price in 63 out of 101 counties was below the £100,000 mark. The 10 counties which delivered the largest increases are in Scotland and Wales, with the Welsh county, Merthyr Tydfil, seeing the largest rise in house prices over the past five years, up 175% from £45,578 in 2001 to £125,450 in 2006. In England, Surrey remains the most expensive region with the average price at £328,453, says the paper. CAMPAIGNERS EXPRESSED fear yesterday HSBC may close as many as 100 UK branches this year after details emerge...