HOUSE prices in the north west continue to rise despite concerns over the effect the EU referendum could have had on the property market. 

Figures out today from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a home in the region now costs £148,320 on average.

That is a 0.4 per cent increase compared to the previous month and 6.6 per cent increase on the same month last year. 

But if you are prepared to consider an extreme relocation or a monster of a morning commute to work, there are ways you can make your money stretch further.

In fact, for less than it costs to buy a house in the north west, you could own your own private island or tropical paradise.

For instance, £93,000 will buy you the 40-acre beautifully-named Hangover Island in Florida.

Or if you can find a bit more spare change down the back of the sofa and stump up £112,000, a 3.7-acre beach hideaway on Isla Esmeralda in Mexico could be yours.

We have rounded up 11 alternatives listed on the website www.privateislandsonline.com that all cost less than the £148,320 you need to buy a house in the north west.

Click the arrows above to browse through the gallery and get your imagination going. 

Now where's that lottery ticket...