The research from Halifax Estate Agents found that 8,257 properties costing a £1 million or more were sold last year, a 36% increase on the 2006 figure of 6,057.

The rise comes despite fears across business institutions of a slowdown in the property market.

More than three quarters of the sales took place in London and the South East - traditionally the wealthiest region in the UK.

The London areas of Kensington and Chelsea accounted for the largest number of million-pound property sales with 961 in total.

Outside of London, Elmbridge in Surrey recorded the greatest number of million pound sales with 335.

In the north, Edinburgh recorded the highest amount of sales with 148 properties changing hands for more than £1 million.

But Wales, with just 19 property sales over the £1 million mark, had the smallest figure.

The rise in the sale of million pound homes contrasts with a 9% fall in property sales over the year.

But despite the huge rise in the number of £1 million homes sold they still only accounted for just 0.6% of all property sales in 2007.