SANDBANKS has the most expensive seaside property in England and Wales but there is a price to pay.

It also has the lowest rate of property price inflation of any coastal resort in England and Wales - just 20 per cent in the three years from Q2 2001 to Q2 2004.

Just over the water, Swanage is the place to be for the biggest gains in coastal property prices locally, reveals latest data from the Halifax.

Although Swanage has the ninth-highest seaside property prices in England and Wales with prices averaging £238,377, it has seen gains of 78 per cent over the last three years.

That is the fastest rate of growth of any seaside town in Dorset or Hampshire.

Christchurch has the 10th highest prices in England & Wales but its rate of price growth is lower at 57 per cent.

England and Wales' number one seaside property hotspot is once again Padstow in Cornwall (£267,445, up 144 per cent) - thanks in part to all the publicity it has gained from having TV chef Rick Stein based there.

Britain's cheapest seaside property is to be found in Cleethorpes (£92,375). Prices there rose 95 per cent.

Factfile:

Dorset and Hampshire's coastal towns in order of property price growth:

Swanage: £238,377, up 78 per cent);

Bournemouth: £196,056, up 64 per cent;

Poole: £165,814, up 58 per cent;

Christchurch: £241,590, up 57 per cent);

Lymington: £285,297, up 56 per cent;

Dorset average: £216,160, up 53 per cent.