House prices in Shepton Mallet have plunged by more than £30,000 in just a year — with neighbouring Wells also slipping, new figures show.

The average home in Shepton's BA4 postcode now costs £332,952, down 8% on the year before. It's one of the steepest drops in Somerset, putting the town alongside Wincanton and Martock at the top of the losers' table.

Wells has also cooled, with the BA5 postcode falling 3.7% to an average of £362,516.

Despite the dip, Shepton homes are still worth more than in Street (£294,128) and not far behind Glastonbury (£333,730). But they're worlds apart from Yeovil, where the average home in BA20 sells for just £235,421.

At the other end of the scale, Wedmore remains out of reach for many locals — average house prices there are a staggering £582,420, with Bruton next on £471,395.

Property experts say Somerset's slide is part of a bigger national picture.

Richard Donnell, Executive Director of Research & Insight at Zoopla, said: "The rise in available listings, especially across southern England, is reinforcing a buyer's market and helping keep house price growth in check."