Britain's housing market enjoyed a 'spring bounce' in April, according to research by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The research showed both property prices and sales levels were rising last month.

Approximately 17% of surveyors reported a rise in April, up from 9% in March.

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RICS spokesman Jeremy Leaf said: "For much of 2010, the housing market has been under the shadow of the General Election, with the gap between supply and demand growing wider as potential house buyers opted to stand on the sidelines awaiting the outcome of the poll.

"However, the start of spring has seen renewed optimism with the good weather improving sentiment and surveyors expecting an increase in both sales and house prices."

(CD/GK)