Living next to good neighbours boosts price of home

More than eight out of 10 Britons put living in a "neighbourly" area higher on the agenda when property hunting than proximity to transport links, being close to shops or near to schools, says a survey by DIY retailer B&Q's social network website Streetclub.

And more than three out of four people believe that real value is added to a house if it is in a friendly area with a strong community spirit, where people do things like give a pot of jam to those next door, pictured left.

John Compton of Streetclub said: "When people are feeling the pinch more than before, there are many advantages to being more neighbourly."

.express