ASKING prices in Greater London went up £1,121 in the first week of 2006, according to the Righmove index.

From December 4 to January 7, the average price of properties on the books of agents in the suburbs rose by £3,680, up 1.3 per cent from £287,367 to £291,047.

Over the year as a whole, prices in Greater London jumped 6.2 per cent.

Rightmove commercial director Miles Shipside said the 1.3 per cent monthly rise was the highest in the country. "We expect this trend to continue, leading to London and the south east outperforming other regions over 2006."

The index is based on data from 8,576 estate agency offices across the country and includes asking prices of 150,000 homes.