A RENFREWSHIRE town has been identified as Britain's top property hotspot, with asking prices surging by 15% over the past year.

Estate agents in Paisley report that access to nature and green spaces may have contributed to rocketing prices in the town.

Both of these attributes are said to have become more important to some home movers during coronavirus lockdowns.

Lancaster and Wigan, both in northern England, rounded off the top three places in the list, which was compiled by Rightmove and excludes London.

Curtis Chisholm, director at Cochran Dickie estate agency, said: "The demand for Paisley can be attributed to the fact that you can get more for your money here than in Glasgow's West End or South Side, especially with the ease of commuting, coupled with quality homes in very desirable addresses.

"Paisley is a very historical town with fabulous culture."

The average asking price of a home in Paisley is currently £126,903, which is £16,183 more expensive than a year ago.

However, average asking prices in the town are £191,677 cheaper than the average across Britain, at £318,580.

They are also £34,619 cheaper than the average across Scotland of £161,522.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove's director of property data, said: "Demand for property in Paisley is very high at the moment, with searches for homes to buy in the town having risen by 44% compared to this time last year.

"Naturally, demand leads to rising prices and, with swathes of rolling countryside on the doorstep, it makes sense that Paisley is such a popular destination for home movers looking for more space."