Strong finish to 2016 as house prices leap 1.7% to average £222,484

House price growth has delivered its biggest monthly rise since March, shrugging off Brexit uncertainty to finish 2016 with a flourish, a report said.

The Halifax House Price Index said property values jumped 1.7% between November and December, smashing economists' expectations of a 0.3% rise.

House prices also rose 6.5% annually in December and stepped up 2.5% in the three months to the end of the year.

Across the UK, the average property value was £222,484 last month.

Martin Ellis, Halifax's housing economist, said the housing market had delivered a strong finish to 2016, but a cocktail of pressures would have an effect on demand this year.

"Slower economic growth, pressure on employment and a squeeze on spending power, together with affordability constraints, are expected to reduce housing demand during 2017.

"Overall, annual house price growth nationally is most likely expected to slow to 1% to 4% by the end of 2017. The relatively wide range for the forecast reflects the higher-than- normal degree of uncertainty regarding the prospects for the UK economy this year."