HOUSE prices in Huddersfield have rocketed by 40% in just 12 months.

And a survey out today revealed the average price of a property in the town is now £125,471.

That compares with an average price of £89,886 for the first quarter of 2003. The 40% increase is the third highest in the Yorkshire region - behind Pontefract and Rotherham where prices soared by 43% and 41% respectively.

House price inflation in Huddersfield now outpaces traditional property hotspots such as Leeds (26%), Harrogate (25%), and York (14%).

The Halifax survey of properties sold at its estate agency chain showed that house prices across Yorkshire rose by an average of 28.3% during the first quarter.

That puts the price of an average property at £106,421 - the first time it has broken the £100,000 mark.

Property prices in West Yorkshire are 27% up on a year ago at an average of £126,640.

Chris Stonock, regional manager for Halifax Estate Agents, said house prices in Yorkshire had risen by 91% over the past three years.

He said: "Yorkshire has had a buoyant start to the year with prices pushing through the £100,000 barrier.

"We foresee a strong market for the rest of 2004 - albeit with slower growth than the last 12 months."

The upward trend was confirmed by Arma Kang, area sales manager for property retailer Jump.

Mr Kang, whose company has a branch at Market Street in Huddersfield, said house prices in the town had been rising steadily for the past three years.

He said: "I expect house prices to increase even further in 2004, although this will be more gradual than what we have experienced."