ESTATE agents in the Swindon area are surprised to learn Wilt-shire has been ranked seventh in a list of the top ten richest counties for homes.

Wiltshire boasted 78 homes priced over the £1 million price tag that were sold in the last quarter of last year, according to research by Country Life magazine.

The slowing property market in some areas is not affecting country house sales, which remain buoyant, the magazine says.

Its report said prices were holding up at the million-pound-plus end of the market at the start of this year.

Richard Hanley, of Hanley's estate agents, based in Highworth was surprised to learn of Wilt-shire's position.

He said: "I thought we would be level or a bit behind Gloucester-shire."

But Mr Hanley said: "Wiltshire has a lot of appeal.

"With good access to the M4, London and Heathrow, it's a good place to live."

One of the most expensive houses to be sold in Wiltshire was Pythouse, near Shaftesbury, which went for £7m.

The Palladian mansion was built in 1725 to replace an Elizabethan house.

Estate Agent Knight Frank sold the property last autumn and partner Michael de Pelet is not surprised at Wiltshire's position in the list,

He says properties such as Pythouse are in high demand.

He said: "This is a very sought after area, partly due to the good location, partly due to the lovely countryside and partly due to the excellent private schooling in the area."

According to the latest Land Registry figures, the number of properties sold in England and Wales for more than £1 million rose in the final quarter of 2004 to 765, slightly more than the number sold in the final quarter of 2003.

In the last three months of 2004, estate agent Savills alone clinched sales of 21 country houses valued collectively at £83.2million.

Leading the way in the trophy house stakes is Surrey, with 170 £1million-plus homes sold.

Lindsay Scanlan