Hopes of a revival in the UK property market were given a fresh boost today as official figures showed that home sales jumped 40% last month.

According to HM Revenue & Customs, 60,000 homes worth at least £40,000 each were sold in March, compared with 43,000 flats and houses that were sold in February.

The figures, which are not adjusted for seasonal trends, will fuel hopes that the prolonged downturn in the property market may finally be coming to an end.

The Times, The Independent