London homes for sale are increasingly attracting interest from young professionals looking to settle down and press on with their careers, new research has shown.

Produced by Lloyds TSB, the findings revealed this group is attracted to the capital's south-west in particular, with Fulham proving the most popular option. Indeed, ten of the top 20 areas in the list are located in the city, with Wimbledon, Battersea and Wandsworth also favoured by many.

Outside London, Hove and central Brighton were earmarked as young professional hotsposts, while Didsbury in south Manchester was found to be a common pick for those residing in the north.  All these areas are a magnet for potential buyers at property auctions.

Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB, explained the usual makeup of this kind of homeowner "is that they tend to have university qualifications, are in well paid occupations and like to take full advantage of living in or close to the city".

Mr Thiru pointed out the findings of the research fit well with this profile.