BRENTWOOD’S property market is in the best shape it has been in for eight years, experts claim.

The latest figures show house prices across the south East increased by a further 3.5 per cent in January - with the average property now worth 7.8 per cent more compared with this time last year.

Russell Quirk, who owns Emoov.co.uk, said the town’s property market was doing “exceptionally well”.

He said: “There’s a shortage of houses.

“Buyers have been woken up after a four year slumber.

“Help to buy schemes and a media frenzy about improvements in the market are all increasing demand, which is at its highest in the town since 2006.”

He added: “There is a lack of supply in Brentwood. The borough council doesn’t build enough houses but it’s also an old town, which limits supply.”