The popular seaside resort of Blackpool is currently home to one of the UK’s hottest property markets, according to research carried out by online estate agents Housesimple.com.

Analysis of the latest Land Registry data for completed property sales showed that the number of houses sold in Blackpool rose by 17% between the first and second quarters of 2018, more than any other major town or city in the UK.

Property sales also grew by more than 15% over the same period in Lancaster (16.6%) and Durham (15.4%). Swindon, Hartlepool, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Warrington, Gloucester and Newcastle made up the rest of the top 10, all with growth of 7.2% or more.

The research, which examined more than 60 UK major towns and cities, also revealed that completed sales across major towns in the north of England grew on average 3% in the second quarter of 2018 versus the first quarter, while completed sales dropped on average 4.3% over the same period in southern towns.

This suggests the north-south divide has well and truly been turned on its head after 10 years of very strong house price growth and sales in the south of the country.

Seven of the 10 towns recording the biggest increase in property sales in Q2 2018 are found in the north, while nine of the 10 ten town registering the biggest fall in sales over the same period are in the south of England.

“Land Registry figures show clearly that the north-south property divide has been turned on its head,” Sam Mitchell, chief executive of Housesimple.com, said. “Properties, particularly family homes, are still affordable in the north of England and with thriving local economies attracting workers to the region, stock is being snapped up in major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.”