HOUSE prices around Gwent began to recover in the last year, with the exception of Blaenau Gwent, new Land Registry figures show.

From September 2009 to September 2010, house prices in Torfaen rose by an average of 9.07 per cent, those in Newport by 8.91 per cent, Monmouthshire by 8.22 per cent and Caerphilly by 6.1 per cent.

But, for properties sold in Blaenau Gwent, there was a drop of 6.15 per cent from an average price of £77,322 to £72,569.

The Land Registry figures also show the average price in Wales as a whole rose by 3.47 per cent to £125,299 between September 2009 and September 2010.

Alan Darlow, director of estate agents Roberts and Co said this is indicative of a recovering housing market, where people will usually look to buy in cities such as Newport first and then out into the surrounding area.

He said: "If Newport sells, people will also look to places like Risca, Cwmbran, and even Blackwood and Pontypool, where it may take 15 minutes more to get to, but houses are a bit cheaper and road links are good.

"But, places like Tredegar and Ebbw Vale are a bit more of a trek and people are less likely to accept it."

Mr Darlow said higher levels of unemployment right across the Heads of the Valleys area and to Neath Port Talbot has also affected prices in Blaenau Gwent.

But, he said Blaenau Gwent will catch up, with more investors looking to the area because of lower prices, while increasing demand will see buyers pushed further away from the M4 corridor.

Mr Darlow described sales as "not great, a steady trickle" throughout Gwent. But he said the possibility of some banks offering 95 per cent mortgages in the new year could get more first time buyers purchasing and kickstart the market.

Mortgage broker Jamie Allan said: "Blaenau Gwent suffers because of its distance from major employment bases. There's been a tiny bit of growth in some areas, but I don't think there'll be anything major for a few years until after the full effect of government cuts have been felt."

Average house prices across Gwent

Average house price for: Sept 2008 Sept 2009 Sept 2010 Blaenau Gwent 90,769 77,322 72,569 Caerphilly 113,441 98,103 104,168 Monmouthshire 191,332 172,582 186,767 Newport 131,989 114,765 124,996 Torfaen 121,515 106,732 116,409 Wales 127,681 121,095 125,299