As it becomes almost impossible for young buyers to purchase a home in London, attention focuses increasingly on the towns outside the capital, particularly those with good rail links and affordable housing.

One such town is Luton, already well-known because of the council-owned airport which is helping to drive huge regeneration in the area. Only 22 minutes from the capital, Luton itself admits it is ‘one of Europe's best kept secrets when it comes to business and investment' but its marketing publicity says it is ‘one of the five most affordable towns in the country for commuting to London.'