HUNTERS, the York-based estate agents, has launched a new "virtual tours" service for all its properties.

Customers can take a detailed tour of houses for sale without having to knock on a single door.

Video equipment is used to provide the tour which is available either on Hunter's website at www.huntersnet.co.uk or on interactive monitors throughout the company's nine branches.

Kevin Hollinrake, director of Hunters, said: "We can provide vendors with the maximum marketing potential for their property as well as reinforcing our position at the forefront of the industry.

"The facility is already proving to be hugely successful, especially with home buyers relocating from other parts of the country and buyers who don't have time to view lots of properties.

"It also gives them an immediate feel for the style and design of a home before they choose to view it, which reduces the number of viewings needed to sell a property."

The new service comes as Hunters expands its interests as a result of acquiring Herriott Cottages, the letting and management firm in Easingwold whose £11 million property portfolio is now set to double over the next 12 months.

Hunters, started in 1992, employs 110 staff in nine offices in Harrogate, Wetherby, Haxby, Acomb, Leeds, Easingwold, Ripon and two in York, It was last year's winner of the Evening Press Progress Through People Award.

Updated: 09:29 Tuesday, March 25, 2003