THE number of houses for sale across the Yorkshire region is expected to fall during the next three months.

The prediction follows the latest housing market survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Although the number of homes for sale across the country has risen for the first time since last December, North Yorkshire is bucking the national trend.

Francis Brown, of estate agents Forman F Brown, in Richmond, said: "The shortage of new properties coming onto the market continues."

And Malcolm Parker of Harmer Mortimer, in Thirsk, said: "Demand remains high but limited supply continues to ensure competitive interest. Sale stocks are at an all-time low yet the volume of transactions is well above average."

In Stokesley the picture is slightly different. Michael Westgarth-Taylor, of the Sanderson Taylor Partnership, said: "There are signs of a slight slowdown in the number of inquiries being received but, due to the bigger slowdown in the number of properties coming on to the market, prices are continuing to rise."

However price expectations remain firmly upbeat, with 66 per cent more of the region's surveyors reporting a rise.