HOUSE prices were up almost across the board in Gwent in the year to February according to the latest data from the Land Registry.

The only exception was Monmouthshire which saw figures remain largely level.

However, as the current data does not reach past February, it does not include the current lockdown situation. The impact of the pandemic on house prices is currently unclear, although estate agents have reported a big drop in sales since the outbreak began.

Anton Clarke, communications officer for HM Land Registry, said: "The UK House Price Index for March will be released on May 20.

"The index will continue to reflect the property market, although we are anticipating lower volumes in transactions starting from next month’s release following the implementation of the measures taken by the government."

Monmouthshire was, however, still the most expensive place to buy a house in the region - with an average price of £266,882.11. The area's house prices in the year to February were more than £36,000 higher than the UK average (£230,331.55) and more than £102,000 higher than the Welsh average (£164,000).

Monmouthshire was also the most expensive place in Gwent for first-time buyers, with the average price sitting at £207,600.

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However, Monmouthshire was among the worst performing area of Gwent when it comes to yearly growth, ranking 21st out of 22 regions and ahead of only Powys.

The best performing Gwent region for yearly growth was Newport, sitting 5th in the rankings. The average house price in the region, in the year to February, was £190,758.11.

This is more than £39,500 below the UK average but ahead of the Welsh average by more than £26,000.

The cheapest house prices on average in Gwent were to be found in Blaenau Gwent, which had an average price of £93,784.81.

Blaenau Gwent's average price sits more than £144,500 below the UK average and more than £77,000 below the Welsh average.

Blaenau Gwent was also the cheapest for first-time buyers, with the average price of £89,200. The region ranked mid-table in terms of growth, sitting in 10th place.

The best performing growth region on the list was Merthyr Tydfil.

Here is a breakdown of the figures.

Monmouthshire:

Average price - £266,882.11

Yearly change - largely level

Yearly growth rank - 21st

First-time buyer average - £207,600

Blaenau Gwent:

Average price - £93,784.81

Yearly change - increase of £3,200

Yearly growth rank - 10th

First-time buyer average - £89,200

Newport:

Average price - £190,758.11

Yearly change - increase of £10,000

Yearly growth rank - 5th

First-time buyer average - £162,700

Torfaen:

Average price - £147,513.57

Yearly change - increase of £3,300

Yearly growth rank - 14th

First-time buyer average - £126,300

Caerphilly:

Average price - £136,507.31

Yearly change - increase of £1,900

Yearly growth rank - 15th

First-time buyer average - £122,900

Advice for those in the process of buying a house during the pandemic can be found at gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak