House prices in Llanfyllin have risen by nearly 30% in the past 12 months - more than double the national average.

According to statistics by property search engine RightMove, during the last year, sold prices in Llanfyllin had an overall average price of £264,533 - 29% up on the previous year and 25% up on the 2014 peak of £211,269.

The most expensive property for sale in the area, Bodfach Hall, belonging to Clwyd South MP and former Llanfyllin mayor Simon Baynes, was listed in May and has now sold for £2.6m.

The majority of sales in Llanfyllin during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £293,625. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £138,250, with terraced properties fetching £168,000.

"Despite the traditional summer holiday lull, fierce competition continues among buyers for the record low number of available properties for sale," said Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Data.

"That competition is hotter than ever, with buyer demand per property for sale more than double that of pre-pandemic levels. Nevertheless, as we enter the busy autumn period, there are early signs of more properties coming to market, which may help to slowly rebuild buyer choice. "

"Buyers who have already sold their own property, have the cash to buy without selling, or are first time buyers with a mortgage agreed will be in the most powerful position to secure the best of any additional autumn choice."

The news comes as the average price of property in Powys also hit an all time high, with the county 13% up on the previous year and 14% up on 2018 when the average house price was £207,644.

Areas in north Powys are traditionally more expensive, but the priciest Powys town was Crickhowell where properties changed hands for an average £358,000, while prices in Machynlleth dropped by 18% from last year to an average of £161,000.

The new record of £338,642 beats the previous high set in July by just £15, and such a small increase is a sign of a stabilisation of the pace of price rises, experts say.

In the first two weeks of September, the number of new listings was up by 14% compared to the last two weeks of August.