House price increases boosting market, says Rightmove

Home buyer activity is increasing fastest in parts of the UK where prices have been the most depressed, an industry survey says.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said that buyers were now returning to the market in their biggest numbers for four years.

The largest rise in activity came in the West Midlands and the North East.

Overall, Rics said prices rose faster in July than at any time since the housing market peak in November 2006.

Miles Shipside from property website Rightmove told BBC Breakfast he had seen recent increases in enquiries about properties and house prices.

"If you look at national averages, they are skewed by the fact that London and the south east have gone up a lot this year, but the rest of the country is now appearing to get in that more buoyant mood as well."

"When people see prices rise... they do try to get on the property ladder."