Recent research indicates that the housing market in the South is recovering faster than the North. The top 10 areas which have withstood the recession storm are all in the South, while 80 per cent of the worst performing regions are all in the North. This information is courtesy of Zoopla.co.uk.

Some engaging statistics about the housing landscape across the UK include the following: England house prices are almost nine per cent lower than in 2007 at 225,045 pounds. Although, they are 11.2 per cent higher than their lowest in March 2009.

London has seen a favorable recovery rate, with property prices within 3.5 per cent of the amount they were before the crisis. Oxfordshire and Warwickshire property prices both sit in similar positions, at 4.8 per cent lower than their peak in 2007.

The other end of the scale appears much more dramatic, as prices for homes are down at least 11 per cent in Lincolnshire and Nottingham. Prices are off from the peak of 2007 by at least 10.5 per cent, in South Yorkshire and Worcestershire.

The commercial director of Zoopla.co.uk, Nicholas Leeming, commented on the division of home prices and performance by region, saying: "In terms of both current house prices and market performance over the past three years, there is a clear north-south divide.

"The manufacturing base of the Midlands was severely hit by the recession and heavy job losses have taken their toll on the region's economy.

"As the economy strengthens, the housing market will likely perform best in those areas least sensitive to the upcoming public sector cuts and the property divide looks set to get even wider."