A law firm has reported an “encouraging” surge in people looking to buy or sell houses.

Clough & Willis, based in Little Lever and Bury says that over the first five months of this year it has seen a 25 per cent rise in residential property conveyancing matters.

The firm has reported the number of people selling their property has risen by 38 per cent and transfers of ownership was up by 59 per cent but buyers had only increased by four per cent.

Clough & Willis head of residential property Lorraine Stratton-Webb said: “Overall this data is encouraging and shows there is still confidence out there even though buyers are still cautious.

“Many people have become tired of waiting and simply want to move, while some buy-to-let landlords are selling up due to higher taxes, increased mortgage costs and uncertainties around potential and costly legislation.”

She added: “The upcoming election does add a layer of uncertainty, as does the recent news that the drop inflation hasn’t been reflected in an upturn in consumer spending. 

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“However, my feeling is that the market will get stronger as interest rates seem to have stabilised and there is a sense they will start falling soon.

“That will, of course, depend on the fiscal policies of the next government and what the Bank of England thinks the impact will be.”

The figures represent transactions across the borough of Bury and encompass properties priced from £53,000 to £1.4m.