AN estate agency has seen turnover rise above £2m within six months of opening.

Homes and Finance, in Yarm, Teesside, is planning to grow across the Tees Valley over the next two years.

Property hotspots such as Yarm, Ingleby Barwick and Eaglescliffe, have helped it to grow.

Managing director Dave Bassett said: "Nationally, the house market has been pretty steady so far this year compared to last year, when prices and sales went through the roof.

"However, we have seen a rapid growth in sales over the past few months, with the average price of the homes we're selling at around £250,000. Ingleby Barwick is as popular as ever, as is Yarm, but we also have many people wanting to buy properties in the surrounding villages, such as Kirklevington and Crathorne."

Jackie Bassett, co-owner of Homes and Finance and an independent financial advisor, said: "Naturally we are delighted that so many people are choosing to buy and sell homes with us and our sales to date are quite an achievement in the short time that we have been open."

The company has recruited five staff.