It has long been a byword for social success, beloved by middle England for its upmarket products and service.

Little wonder, then, that Waitrose can quite literally affect the fortunes of its neighbours.

Living near to a Waitrose supermarket can help to boost the value of your home by nearly £40,000, according to research.

The "Waitrose effect" eclipses the benefits of having any other shop as a neighbour, according to Lloyds Bank, after a study found having any supermarket nearby raises house prices by an average £22,000.

Even living near discount chains Aldi and Lidl could also help to boost the value of a property, with a rise of £1,333 and £3,926 respectively.