SWINDON has been named the hottest spot for property demand in the UK.

A national survey shows the town at the top of the index with a demand percentage of 66 per cent.

The index, carried out by an online estate agent, measures the level of demand by comparing the number of homes for sale with the number of homes sold, getting a percentage ratio.

Swindon's rate is nearly double the average UK's, which stands at of 36 per cent.

Gavin Calthrop, head of place marketing for Switch on to Swindon, said it is good news for the town.

“For aspiring homeowners and those looking to move up the housing ladder Swindon is a standout location,” he said.

“Increasingly people are making decisions about where they move based on what a place can offer in terms of work-life balance, quality of life, being able to afford to buy your first home or move up the housing ladder.

“Swindon is in a prime position to offer all of those things and this index is yet further evidence of the growing appreciation of what Swindon has to offer.

“It’s a great location to bring up a family, a hotbed of micro-businesses and entrepreneurs and home to national and international brands.

“The more people who choose to move to Swindon, the greater our available workforce will be and this will make it even easier to attract new business to the town.”

Agents in Swindon said they were not surprised to learn Swindon was performing well nationally.

Philip Andrew Reeve, director of Chappells Estate Agents in Swindon, said: “The market is still buoyant in Swindon while other areas have felt the pinch more.

“It’s very good value for money as its very well situated. People as well as investors are moving in because of its affordability.

“Rental yield is not quite as high as some areas but subsequently it’s cheaper and better value for money.

“We listed a one-bed apartment for £90,000 here, but you’d be looking at over £150,000 in somewhere like Reading. Swindon has a lot of potential.”

And Jon Harding, director of fellow agent Charles Harding, said: “In terms of sales the town is performing well.

“There is more availability now which creates a more competitive market.

“It’s across the board, from first-time buyers up to the top end all the way through the chain.”

Russell Quirk, founder and CEO of emoov.co.uk, which carried out the survey, said: “Market activity has remained subdued throughout the start of the year, but it seems as if the tide is finally starting to turn and we should see conditions improve as the year goes on.”

In the survey, Swindon is followed by Glasgow, Newport in South Wales, Edinburgh and Ely in Cambridgeshire.

The places with the lowest demand are Aberdeen, Carlisle and Hartlepool.

The hotspots survey is the longest-running index of its kind, looking at home buyer demand levels.