A new report has claimed house prices have increased again, with interest from potential buyers overtaking the number of properties available on the market.

The imbalance between supply and demand in the market caused house prices to rise, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The report for Scotland found 52% more chartered surveyors had noted price increases – the highest level since 2007.

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Commenting on the findings, Director of RICS Scotland, Sarah Spiers, said: "The housing market is gathering momentum and buyer numbers are on the rise across Scotland.

"That said, the number of homes currently up for sale is still nowhere near enough to keep up with demand and, in order for the market to function correctly, this imbalance urgently needs to be addressed.

"If we are to create a more sustainable market, it is critical that many more good-quality homes are built in areas where people want to live."

(JP/IT)