A YORK estate agent today hit back at reports that house prices are set to slump in villages around York.

Edward Waterson of Carter Jonas in Micklegate says his experience belies claims that villages around York are moving into a slump with more home sellers than buyers.

Mr Waterson, residential sales partner, said: "I don't think there will be a house price slump at all in villages around York. We might see prices stabilising but certainly not falling.

"There is still a lot more buyers than sellers and if that were not the case you would see a lot more sale boards around.

"York continues to increase in popularity especially with the new A1/M1 link road.

"The market is marginally slower than six months ago but it is still going up at a sensible rate. House prices are not set to tumble."

Experian, an information company, claims research has shown house prices are most likely to slump in York along with Maida Vale in London, Ashford in Kent, Milton Keynes and Reading.

Mr Waterson added: "I cannot foresee sellers having to slash prices to achieve sales.

"This research contrasts with other surveys which have identified North Yorkshire as one of the more buoyant areas and is not borne out by Carter Jonas's experience in recent weeks.

"We expect the market to remain strong for the rest of the year, though house price inflation may slow.

"A word of warning, however. Some sellers are becoming greedy and, occasionally encouraged by estate agents, are quoting asking prices which are likely to be unachievable."

Ben Hudson at Hudson Moody in High Petergate agreed the claims were not borne out by the York housing market.