House prices in a Kent town have more than doubled in 10 years, studies show.

Research carried out by Rightmove reveals Margate is the only place in Britain to have seen property values leap by more than 100% since 2012.

Estate agents say the increase has been fuelled by an "influx" of Londoners looking to relocate on the Kent coast.

Margate topped Rightmove's list of areas across the country with the highest asking price rises over the last decade.

It was also joined in the top 10 by Dover, Sheerness, Dartford, Broadstairs and Walderslade - which recorded jumps of between 89% and 96%.

Rightmove's Tim Bannister said: "House prices rising so quickly in these areas of the south is a sign of increased demand outstripping supply over the past 10 years, with areas like Margate offering a life by the coast at a price lower than the national average."

The average property value in Margate went from £145,311 to £294,209 over the period.

In Dover, which saw the third-highest rise, prices stand at about £254,000, having grown from just under £130,000 in January 2012.

Of the Kent towns included in the list, Broadstairs had the highest average property value of more than £460,000.

Mark Brooks, chief executive of Kent estate agency Miles & Barr, said: "We have witnessed the surge of demand for properties first-hand.

“The county has seen an influx of those living in urban areas such as London, looking to relocate for the golden beaches and tranquil lifestyle offered by the coast or countryside.

"The shift to flexible and home working, added to the range of transport links back to London, has led to many fleeing the city.”

The places recording the highest asking price increases in Britain

1. Margate - 102.5% rise from £145,311 in 2012
2. Horfield, Bristol - 96% rise from £196,468 in 2012
3. Dover - 95.6% rise from £129,902 in 2012
4. Sheerness - 93.4% rise from £140,407 in 2012
5. Basildon, Essex - 91.4% rise from £171,762 in 2012
6. Dartford - 91.2% rise from £184,349 in 2012
7. Broadstairs - 90.4% rise from £242,808 in 2012
8. Hastings, East Sussex - 89.7% rise from £163,530 in 2012
9. Walderslade - 88.9% rise from £170,158 in 2012
10. Badminster, Bristol - 88.5% rise from £187,954 in 2012