House prices up for first time in 5 years

House prices have risen for the first time since 2008, the strongest sign yet that the worst of the housing market crash is over.

Latest figures from the CSO show average property prices rose by 1.2% over the year to June. It is the first annual increase in national house prices since Jan 2008.

Property prices in June alone rose by 1.2% compared with an increase of just 0.3% in May.