Manchester back in top spot for buy to let

According to the annual buy to let tracker compiled by specialist mortgage lender Aldermore, the 'capital of the North' has reclaimed its crown as the UK's most attractive city for property investors.

Rising four places since last year, its return to the number one position is the result of its robust property prices and strong rental demand.

Aldermore's tracker takes a variety of key factors into account, including short term returns through rental yields, long term returns from house price growth,  the vacancy rates and the percentage of the population in the rental market.

London also climbed the index this year, rising to second place. Although rental yields are lower than in cities further north, Aldermore described the demand and size of the market as "healthy" .

The other cities making up the top five were Bristol, Cambridge and Peterborough.

Along with Peterborough, Milton Keynes is performing strongly. Both cities have benefited from work from home with good rail links making them attractive commuter bases.

The region most strongly represented is the East of England, with seven of the top twenty. Along with Peterborough and Cambridge, commuter towns Luton, Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend all ranked highly based on Aldermore's criteria.