Flourishing house prices are a feature of towns than encourage landscaping and floral displays, according to research.

Halifax Estate Agents has analysed the house price performance of the UK's most attractive towns and cities. The survey looks at gold medal winners in the "Britain in Bloom" competition conducted annually by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Towns that have won gold in the Britain in Bloom competition had house prices up to 87% higher than the national average, the group said. Twenty two out of the 32 towns and cities surveyed, which have won "Britain in Bloom" gold medals since 1994, have house prices above their regional average.

On average, house prices in towns & cities with an award-winning approach to landscaping and environmental management tend to be 23% higher (£40,000) than their regional average.

Five towns have a house price which is £100,000 more than their region's average house price; the premium is highest in Stratford-upon-Avon at £138,000.

Of the cities and towns which won gold medals in 2004, Ilkley in Yorkshire and the Humber has seen the strongest house price growth, up 32% over the last twelve months. Ilkley also has the highest house prices of any category winner in 2004, at £274,238.

Tim Crawford, group economist at Halifax Estate Agencies said, "The British love affair with attractive towns is as strong as ever, so house buyers are clearly willing to pay a premium to live in picturesque surrounds."

The key findings are:

Bath has seen the strongest performance over the past ten years of any of the "Britain in Bloom" gold medals surveyed. Prices there have increased by 286%, followed by Oxford (263%), Harrogate (258%) and Christchurch (256%).

The South West has the most Britain in Bloom gold medal winners surveyed, 8 in total. This is followed by the South East (4), West Midlands (4) and the North of England (4).

House price performance has been slightly better than average for the Britain in Bloom Gold medal winners. Over the past ten years they have seen, on average, a 203% increase in house prices compared with a 182% increase in prices in their respective regions.

Of the cities and towns, which won Britain in Bloom gold medals in 2004 Ilkley in Yorkshire and the Humber has seen the strongest house price growth, up 32% last year. Ilkley also has the highest house prices of any category winner in 2004 - £274,238.