Prices of apartments in Bulgaria's regional cities increased by and average of 14.7 per cent in 2006, National Statistical Institute (NSI) data showed.

The value of apartments in Vidin raised the most, by 64.7 per cent, mediapool.bg reported.

Other regional centres registered increase as well. Price hikes in Rousse, Pazardzhik, Pernik and Dobrich reached 25 per cent.

Prices in the bigger cities and Sofia increased the less, medaipool.bg said. The average price of apartments in Sofia was 1341.8 leva per sq m, representing a 9.8 per cent increase.

Apartments in the Varna and Bourgas were offered for respectively 1316 leva per sq m and 1227 leva per sq m, which was nearly 10 per cent increase.

NSI information contradicted property agencies data, mediapool.bg said. Address real estate agency data showed that the biggest increase in the price of apartments registered was of 30.33 per cent in Stara Zagora.