House price inflation in Scotland increased once again in April, according to official figures.

Data released today by Commons department Communities and Local Government reveals that across Scotland the average annual inflation rate rose from 14.8 per cent to 17.8 per cent in April.

Consumers looking to buy a new home may be interested to read that official average house prices for Scotland stood at £155,516.

Commenting on the figures, David Stubbs, senior economist at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, observed: "These numbers confirm that the housing market was in rude health at the start of the second quarter.

"Tight supply conditions were driving prices skywards, but the hikes in interest rates since August have now started to slow the market somewhat."

Mr Stubbs added that, with house prices rising faster than earnings, affordability issues for first-time buyers are likely to continue to deteriorate.