HOUSE prices have rocketed across the Brentwood borough.

Latest stats revealed homes within the CM13 and CM15 postcodes - including Shenfield, Doddinghurst, Kelvedon Hatch, Pilgrims Hatch, Hutton, Ingrave, Herongate, West Horndon - shot up by seven percent in 2013.

While those within the CM14 area - including central Brentwood, Coxtie Green, Navestock and South Weald - enjoyed a whopping 8.3 percent increase.

This compares to a 4.4 per cent average house rise across the country.

Schemes such as the Government’s help to buy scheme, the TOWIE effect and Crossrail coming to Brentwood and Shenfield stations are believed to have helped.

Russell Quirk, who runs online estate agent firm eMoov, based in Ongar Road, Brentwood, said: “Brentwood has the best of all worlds; a great environment, green spaces, high employment and within easy commute of the city, the West End and surrounding commercial centres such as Chelmsford and Romford.

“It has it all, so we should continue to see price rise over the coming years.”

Jason Foreman, 35, is moving from Mountnessing to central Brentwood, and sold in mid-December.

He said: “Surprisingly the number of viewings picked up in the run-up to Christmas.

“I got two offers and the second one met my asking price, no problem. It gives my wife and I the chance to get an extra bedroom and a place in area we would prefer to live. Hopefully everyting will go smoothly and we will be in by the spring.”

Steve Markham, a negotiator at Hilbery Chapin in St Thomas Road, Brentwood, said: “The most noticeable thing has been that properties are selling quicker.

“Brentwood is a popular area because of factors like the station and the good schools here.”

Andy Brabham-Neil, manager of Housesale Estate Agents, added “I don’t actually think help-to-buy has had a big effect in Brentwood.

“The demand locally is huge and on average family homes we are getting up to 50 viewings a time, it is very competitive.

“As for the future, because of the demand I fully expect to see prices increase more and more.”

*The latest stats were from property market analysts Hometrack.