OTLEY’S oldest estate agents has announced that it has sold more than £10 million worth of homes since the start of this year.

Dacre, Son and Hartley, which has run in Otley for nearly 200 years, moved to new premises on Bondgate at the end of last year and David Phillip, who heads the office, says it has been inundated with business over the spring.

Mr Phillip, who has sold more than 7,000 homes since joining the company 37 years ago, said: "Springtime is always a busy period for the property market but it has been particularly active this year as the market gains

momentum, and our new office continues to enhance our presence on one of Otley's busiest streets.

"Since I joined in 1977 I have worked across some our most successful offices, including Ilkley, Harrogate and Pateley Bridge, but have spent most of my time in Otley and thoroughly enjoy working in the area.

"The town has always appealed to homebuyers and its popularity continues to soar. It offers great local amenities, a bustling market square, easy access to both Leeds and Bradford and is surrounded by stunning countryside - with

the Chevin on one side and the Washburn Valley on the other.

"It also benefits from a huge range of housing stock, from Victorian terraced housing in the town centre through to farmhouses and large family homes on the edge of town.”

The business's six-strong team in Otley is currently marketing more than 100 local homes.