Rent in St Helens rose 9% over the past year, new figures show.

It comes as Propertymark, which represents estate agents, said selling property or turning to the short-term letting market is becoming a "more attractive" option for landlords.

Provisional figures from the Office for National Statistics show the average private rent in St Helens reached £708 per month in the year to October – up 9% from £650 a year prior.

It was also up 34% from an estimated £527 a month five years ago.

Valuation Office Agency rent officers collect prices from a variety of sources, including landlords and letting agents, with the aim to collect data on approximately 10% of the market.

Across the North West, the average rent was £870 – rising 10% from the year before.

Trafford had the highest rental cost in the region at £1,278 per month, while the lowest was in Burnley at £582.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Getting good news about your rent is about as common as discovering your housemates have washed up for you, or your landlord suggesting you get a dog.

"It means for many, the only way out of the endless cycle of rising costs is to buy, but this is far easier said than done when rents absorb so much of your income."

In October, the average private rent in Great Britain was £1,307 per month. This was £105, or 9%, higher than 12 months ago.

Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, said: "As we continue to see a further increase in rental prices across the UK, our members continue to emphasise key concerns regarding the ongoing trend of lack of rental stock versus an ever-growing number of tenants looking for homes.

"Selling up altogether or turning to the short-term letting market is becoming a more attractive option for landlords due to the challenging legislative changes and increased financial liabilities they face."

The figures also show the different costs for various homes in St Helens, from £518 for a one-bed property to £1,165 for a home with four or more bedrooms in October.

Among the property types in the area: A detached housed cost £1,036 to rent per month A semi-detached cost £774 per month A terraced house was £697 per month And a flat or maisonette was £604 a month