PEOPLE are willing to pay extra to live in properties in Lanes.

They are ready to pay an average of nearly £50,000 more than for similar homes in Drives, new research shows.

The average price of a three-bedroomed semi with the word lane in its address is £215,262.

This is nearly 17% more than the price of the average three-bedroom semi across England and Wales of £184,000, says the Woolwich.

Properties in Gardens also command higher- than-average prices at £211,389, while those in Roads sell for about £196,146.

But the cheapest houses are found in drives, selling for an average of £166,683, or 9% less than average.

Those in Groves and Streets do not fair much better, at an average of £169,549 and £170,395 respectively.

Properties in Closes, Avenues or Ways occupy the middle ground, with the cost of a three-bedroom semi coming in just above or below the average of £184,000.

A Woolwich spokes- man said: "It is difficult to believe the first line of an address can have such an impact."