LATEST housing figures I found spread across my desk last week have confirmed my fears we're living in the most over-priced place in the country.

When I first took on the task of highlighting the town's countless flaws, bringing them to the attention of Midweek readers, property prices were the first thing I tackled.

I launched a scathing attack on inflated prices.

Buying a house in the area now costs an average £246,000. Can anyone tell me why and if someone expects me to believe it's because we're sat on top of the M40 I'll break into fits of laughter.

According to the GMB union, prices are relative to the average wage, which in the case of Wycombe is apparently about £27,000.

Now I'm certainly not bathed in riches, and I just wonder if the average guy on the street takes home an annual wage in excess of £25,000. If so congratulations you can probably just about afford to scrape enough money together for a shed.

However there is one thought that repeatedly brings a wry smile to my face, and that's the imminent collapse of the housing market followed by the sale of very, very big properties for very, very small prices.

Unfortunately for some this could spark financial ruin. But for an unsentimental bloke like myself I would take great glee in quietly whispering "the M40 ain't so great now is it mate".

January 20, 2003 16:30