House prices figures have highlighted how the cost of getting on the property ladder for local families varies widely between villages and towns in South Norfolk.

According to new data, the most expensive neighbourhoods to buy a home in 2018 were a number of sought after rural villages whilst the cheapest places were in parts of Diss.

The highest average price came in at £401,844 in the area around Newton Flotman, Saxlington Nethergate, Shotesham, followed by £367,295 in North Lopham, South Lopham and Kenninghall and £362,350 in Bressingham, Fersfield and Shelfanger.

Diss Mercury: Shelfanger may be close to Diss but its house prices are among the highest in South Norfolk. Picture: Adrian CableShelfanger may be close to Diss but its house prices are among the highest in South Norfolk. Picture: Adrian Cable (Image: Archant)

Homes in Winfarthing, Gissing and Shimpling sold for an average of £357,667, while those in Bunwell, Carleton Rode and Tibenham did so for £331,246.

Young families and first time buyers face a struggle to buy in these rural villages, while the average cost of a home at the other end scale also pushes the limits of what is affordable despite being South Norfolk's cheapest places for properties.

Diss Mercury: Persimmon Homes Orchard Croft development in Diss which is in one of the cheapest neighbourhoods for house prices. Picture: Simon ParkinPersimmon Homes Orchard Croft development in Diss which is in one of the cheapest neighbourhoods for house prices. Picture: Simon Parkin (Image: Archant)

The average cost of houses sold in Diss in 2018 was £217,995, a 34pc increase on 2008, but the town was also home to the most affordable neighbourhoods, with an average home in the area around Victoria Road, Vinces Lane and Rose Lane coming in at £200,788.

The area around Nelson Road, Ensign Way and Frenze Hall Lane and was the second most affordable, at £208,834.

Diss district councillor Graham Minshull said more people moving to the town, which is on the main rail line, were added to the pressures on young people locally.

"Building affordable housing is great but if you are then advertising it in London it is immediately all taken up. So we have to ask how to tackle what is a big problem," he said.

Diss Mercury: Rural villages where house prices far exceed the £260,371 average price in South Norfolk. Picture: Mike PageRural villages where house prices far exceed the £260,371 average price in South Norfolk. Picture: Mike Page (Image: Mike Page)

Despite containing the most affordable neighbourhoods every area in Diss saw property prices rise by more than 25pc since 2008. In Roydon they leapt by more 75pc, with an average price now of £318,667.

Other areas to have seen steep rises in property prices over the decade from 2008 to 2018 were Dickleburgh and Rushall, up by 84pc to an average of £291,416; and Harleston and Redenhall, up 58pc to £248,158.

But despite being most expensive place to buy in South Norfolk, Newton Flotman, Saxlington Nethergate and Shotesham was one of just two neighbourhoods to see prices fall, dropping by six per cent. The other was Tasburgh that saw a slight drop to an average of £233,500.