Confidence in the Cumbrian housing market remains strong despite a national dip, estate agents say.

The Halifax has just published results of its latest quarterly Housing Market Confidence Tracker, revealing that confidence in the UK market is at its lowest level in over a year.

It believes the dip - a continuation of a downwards trend over the past 12 months - is due to consumers feeling increasingly uncertain about the future of tthe wider economy.

But agents in Carlisle and Workington say the national picture is not being reflected in local markets.

Will Tod, sales negotiator at Carlisle-based Hayward Tod, said that the Halifax findings do not correlate with what they are seeing.

"The way the year has started has been pretty positive. It seems like there is money out there and people want to invest in Carlisle. It's almost the polar opposite of what they are saying.

"In 2015 we saw a 10 per cent increase in out-of-area enquiries, which shows people are coming into the area."

Workington-based Yvonne McKenzie, at Tiffen & Co, agreed. "I wouldn't say there's no confidence in the market here. For us sales have gone up. I'm not saying it's vibrant but people are still moving.

"We are seeing a lot more first time buyers. I don't think many are using Government schemes. They are saving until they have deposits. And they are a lot more educated than years ago."

Both agree that a rise in stamp duty for the buy-to-let and holiday home markets may see those drop off slightly, with a flurry of sales having been pushed through ahead of the April 1 deadline.

But generally they said the Cumbrian property scene is ticking along with plenty of people still buying and moving.

Despite the Halifax reporting a drop in national confidence, 65 per cent of the people it questioned still believe will continue to rise over the next 12 months. However there remains uncertainty.

Speaking about the national picture, Martin Ellis, Halifax housing economist, said: "We are seeing growing pessimism among consumers in the general economic outlook for Britain.

"However the ongoing acute supply/deman imbalance in the property market continues, which together with low interest rates and a healthy labour market, indicate that house prices are likely to continue to grow in the coming months. 

"As a result, the gap between house pricve optimism and economic confidence is at its widest in five years, but both are tracking downwards."