Sales of narrowboats in Oxfordshire are booming as more people seek alternatives to housing on land.

British Waterways and boatbuilders say the rise is because waterways are seen as a pleasant place to live, while boat prices are lower than those of houses and flats.

All British Waterways moorings on the Oxford Canal from Oxford to Banbury are full, and the waiting list is growing.

Secondhand boats can be bought for as little as £14,000 , while the Land Registry says the cost of an average house has risen to about £180,000.

Meanwhile, business for boatbuilders is booming.

Richard Haynes, who owns Kingsground Narrow Boats at Upper Heyford industrial park, said: "We are building more live-aboard boats than ever before. We have orders until the end of next year.

"It is partly because of the high cost of housing and partly because the canals are more pleasant places to live."

Martin Cooke, business development manager of British Waterways -- which owns the nation's canals -- confirmed its 56 residential moorings on the Oxford Canal within the city were full.

All 320 canal moorings between Oxford and Banbury were also full, he said, though a number of vacancies remain further north at Cropredy.

He said: "We get phone calls continually asking if there are spaces and where can boats moor. We have an extensive waiting list.

"A lot of people are attracted by the idea of living on the canal.

"It's also related to the price of housing. Some people see it as a way of not having to afford a house or a flat."

Mr Cooke said people should nevertheless be aware of the hidden costs and the reality of life by the water, particularly in winter -- such as no mains electricity, the need to empty toilets and dealing with frozen water taps.

British Waterways' annual licence costs a minimum of £560, the mooring fee is at least £1,000 a year, and boat maintenance can be expensive.

Unlike houses, boats are unlikely to appreciate in value. But many recent converts have no regrets.

Des Smith, 56, bought the 70ft boat Gremlin's Castle two years ago after selling his Didcot home following the break-up of his marriage.

"Moving into a flat in Didcot would have cost me between £70,000 and £90,000," he said.

"I bought the boat for £48,000. My mooring fees and licence cost £2,800, and I pay about £60 a month council tax, but it's definitely cheaper than a house. A bottle of gas costs £13.50 and lasts a month, and £120 buys enough coal to last the winter."

Neighbour Jackie Harris, 48, sold her house in Jericho, Oxford, and bought her boat, Arden, last year for £54,000.

Moored off Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, it has central heating, electricity and a washing machine.

"It is a lot cheaper than having a house," she said. "I enjoy living here because it is so peaceful. You'd never think you were so close to the city centre. You wake up in the morning with a swan looking at you."

Mr Cooke said British Waterways had no plans to provide any additional long-term moorings on the Oxford Canal.

The interests of residents, walkers, cyclists, anglers and tourists had to be balanced with the ecological, heritage and wildlife value of the canal, he said.

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