HOMEOWNERS in the Borders have seen their houses become pricier during the coronavirus pandemic, statistics show.

Registers of Scotland (RoS) has published figures showing house price changes up to March.

Between February and March, Borders prices rose by an average of 2.5 per cent, with the average price £162,926.

Across Scotland, the average price change was a 0.4 per cent rise, while the UK average saw a 0.2 per cent fall.

Borders residents have also witnessed Scotland’s greatest annual growth, with property prices rising 12.3 per cent in the last 12 months, compared with a Scottish average rise of 1.5 per cent.

The average sale price in the Borders has grown by £18,000 in the last year.

In March, the average property price in Scotland was £151,856, while the UK average was £231,855.

An RoS spokesperson said: “Statistics for March 2020 will be affected by measures taken to tackle coronavirus (COVID-19).

"The Scottish Government has issued guidance to delay moving home wherever possible."

Fewer sales were completed this March compared with previous years, the spokesperson said.

The final week of the month - when the UK entered lockdown - was “particularly affected”, said the spokesperson.

They added: “The effect of coronavirus on house price statistics from RoS will be able to be seen more conclusively in April 2020 data due to be published on 1 June 2020.”