Regional estate agent Dacre, Son & Hartley says it has sold more homes subject to contract than at any time during the past three years.

The firm, which has a network of offices including Baildon, Bingley, Saltaire, Keighley, Guiseley, Skipton and Otley, said sales are at their highest level since the spring of 2010. Dacres also said that the number of buyers on its mailing list, at more than 5,500, is the highest for four years, reflecting a “distinct increase” in the Yorkshire housing market in the past month.

Patrick McCutcheon, head of Dacres Residential, said: “Economic news is generally more confident, with the UK returning to growth in the first quarter of 2013 and this is having a positive effect on the housing market.

“Even the weather improving plays a part in boosting sentiment among potential homebuyers.

“In Yorkshire the sub £500,000 sector has seen the greatest increase in activity and this is steadily filtering up the market. Mortgage finance remains cheap and the availability of credit is improving with initiatives such as the Funding for Lending Scheme.”