HOMES in the Johnstone area have been ranked among the most expensive in Scotland.

The town is one of the top 10 most expensive locations in the country, alongside places such as Inverness, according to a new study by the Bank of Scotland.

A figure of £1,436 is listed as the price of the average square metre of property in Johnstone.

However, the surprisingly-high ranking is believed to have been largely influenced by posh properties in neighbouring areas such as Elderslie, Brookfield and Houston.

Susie McKenzie, a sales and marketing specialist with estate agents Corum, told the Gazette: "The Bank of Scotland survey probably looked at the Johnstone postcode area, which includes relatively affluent areas where big, substantial new houses can range in price from around £360,000 to £500,000.

"Renovated farmhouses, for example, can command high prices. We have one beautifully-renovated five-bedroom farmhouse on sale in Houston for offers over £540,000.

"The Gryffe High School catchment is very desirable and that also influences house prices."

The bank's survey showed that eight of the 10 towns with the lowest prices per square metre are either in central or western Scotland. These include Greenock (£1,128) and Alexandria (£1,140).

Graham Blair, mortgages director with the Bank of Scotland, said: "House price per square metre can be a useful measure for house price comparison as it helps to adjust for differences in the size and type of properties between locations.

"Edinburgh and the east coast are more expensive than western and central areas, however we can see a number of notable pockets emerging in the Highlands."

Scotland's most expensive houses are to be found in Edinburgh, where the average price per square metre is £2,492.