Sicily 'drawing in Britons'

British property buyers have become significantly involved in the Sicilian property market in the past two years, it has been stated.

In a feature on the island's investment prospects, Country Life noted that UK purchasers prefer the east side of the island, where prices have been rising around ten per cent in towns such as Ragusa.

However, Sicilian property remains cheaper than mainland Italy prices, the magazine added.

Features of the island listed as attractive for buyers by the magazine include its ancient monuments, the presence of Mount Etna - Europe's largest active volcano – and the ease of access for second home buyers, with the last factor shortly to be improved with the opening of a fourth airport at Cosimo/Ragusa.

Buyers in Italy may also find that the cost of doing so is falling thanks to the recovery in value of the pound against the euro in recent weeks.

This trend has boosted mortgage enquiries from Britons keen to buy in eurozone countries, overseas mortgage firm Conti has said.