AS CHEPSTOW celebrates its 950th anniversary, traders have spoken of how the town is prospering.

New figures show house prices in the town have gone up by one of the fastest rates in Britain over the last three months, a sign of the area's prosperity.

A study by the website Zoopla showed that house prices went up by 1.51 per cent in Chepstow since the start of the year, the sixth highest rise in Britain.

Dawn Floyd, owner of St Marys St Collectables in St Mary Street, said trade is booming.

"We have noticed a massive difference recently, things are definitely on the up," said Ms Floyd, who has lived in the area for 40 years.

"Houses are selling very quickly. When we go to collect the house has sold almost overnight since it went on the market, when you would expect it to take a lot longer.

"I think a lot of it is to do with the toll prices due to come down and that prices are a lot lower than in Bristol."

She added that the boom has also been noticed in Caldicot and other areas of Monmouthshire.

Peter Moon, owner of Moon and Co estate agents, said the market has been "electrified" since the news that the Severn Bridge toll prices will be cut.

He said buyers are regularly paying over the asking price by as much as around £50,000.

"When the Government announced it was reviewing the tolls in March, 2016, we saw a definite move," he said.

"Then when it was made official it electrified the market.

"It is good news for homeowners and generally good news for the town as it will bring activity and growth to the area.

"The town has definitely got an optimistic feel to it at the moment."

Ned Heywood, potterer and town councillor, said he had noticed houses selling at an "amazing rate."

"It is a very attractive place to live," said Mr Heywood, a resident of the town for 35 years.

"There is a lovely community feel to the area, a fantastic castle, festivals and just outside of the town there are some amazing places to walk."

A series of events will mark the town's 950th anniversary year.

The town council has produced an information leaflet attached for the public, schools and school projects, and visitors to the town explaining what happened 950 years ago in 1067 and the significance of the 950th anniversary.

Announcing details of the celebrations, mayor and Cllr said: Paul Pavia, said: "I am delighted to welcome in our 950th year as a town, and our 950 year link with our twin-town of Cormeilles in Normandy.

"I look forward to some interesting events this year to mark this incredible anniversary.

"Young people in Chepstow today will have the benefit of not only enjoying the 950th anniversary this year but the 1,000th anniversary of the town in 2067.

"I hope that the council’s information leaflet will provide an interesting read for residents and attract visitors to the town, and will provide material which can be used in school and community projects to help celebrate our past."