DALGETY BAY is one of the most expensive seaside towns in Scotland to buy a house in, according to a new report.

The Bank of Scotland says the West Fife town has an average house price of £206,805, making it the sixth most expensive seaside town in the country.

Coastal areas have seen a strong performance on the market with the average price of a property in a Scottish seaside towns now £159,067, a leap of five per cent (£8,007) over the last year.

And, over the last 10 years, the average house price in Scotland's seaside towns has risen by 15 per cent (or £20,839) from an average of £138,228 to £159,067.

The East coast dominates the list of Scotland’s most expensive seaside towns, while the West provides some of the most affordable property prices on the coast.

Elsewhere, North Berwick topped the list of Scotland's most expensive coastal communities for homebuyers with an average house price of £401,590, while St Andrews is second on the list at £354,136.

Graham Blair, mortgages director at Bank of Scotland, said: “Scotland’s stunning coastline makes its seaside towns highly-desirable places to live, with homebuyers hunting properties in the likes of North Berwick and St Andrews facing a hefty price premium.

“However, for those prepared to cast their nets a little wider, Scotland still provides great value in comparison to coastal areas in other parts of Britain, with the West coast in particular offering the benefits of seaside living at a much more affordable price.”

The Bank of Scotland Seaside Town Review tracks house price movements in 55 seaside towns in Scotland.

The top 10 most expensive Scottish seaside towns to buy property in are: North Berwick £401,590; St Andrews £354,136; Dunbar £224,213; Stonehaven £218,877; Anstruther £215,659; Dalgety Bay £206,805; Cockenzie £206,118; Helensburgh £204,909; Inverkip £204,571; Musselburgh £199,295.