Central London price hikes continue in both the east and west of town - where agents from both areas have described the market as going "crazy" since the beginning of the year.

And for once it's not just agency hype: these are real prices that are being achieved.

In EC2 - Barbican, Clerkenwell, Old Street and Farringdon (otherwise known as the City fringe) - prices have risen from around £450 per square foot to at least £550.

For example, a typical two bedroom flat in the 1970s Barbican fetched £385,000 in December. They now go for £425,000.

Last week a large (900 square foot) one bedroom Barbican flat went under offer at £500,000.