AS the property market continues to flourish, Mike Charlton, principal of Charltons estate agency and chartered surveyors, predicts the reopening of the Yorkshire Dales will see greater demand for properties in rural areas.

As the impact of foot-and-mouth recedes, rural properties coming back on the market will attract a wide range of buyers. Charltons is confident that there will be an increase in demand for property with land, and country cottages, in the next few months.

The foot-and-mouth crisis left many farmers and landowners reviewing their options. Many may choose to relocate.

UK house prices are set to continue to grow this year with a growth of 1.6 per cent on house prices in the UK during January. Nationally, the average has now passed the £100,000 barrier.

Mr Charlton said: "The announcement that foot-and- mouth is formally over and the reopening of the dales is fantastic news for property owners who are looking to sell.

"This is an ideal time to consider selling, with house prices rising and a particularly buoyant market.

"Charltons has dealt with country and rural properties throughout the region for a number of years. Our new sales office in Mayfair, London will be another avenue property and land owners have at their disposal to attract buyers from all over the UK."