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An estate agency in Somerset has reported a surge in demand from international buyers for property in the country.

Roderick Thomas Estate Agents, which has offices Wells, Wedmore and Castle Cary, said there had been a sharp rise in sales since the start of the year from overseas investors.

The company has secured sales with buyers in countries including Hong Kong, Spain, the US and New Zealand - with some buyers making purchases of more than £1m without viewing the property in person.

“We’ve seen a significant leap in the number of overseas buyers, particularly in the £400,000 to over-£1m price bracket,” a spokesperson for the company said.

“Confidence is high - international buyers are agreeing a house purchase, often at over £1m, without even viewing the property in person first, simply on information over the phone or via email and the web.”

In the last two weeks alone, the independent agency’s Wells and Castle Cary offices have agreed 15 sales to domestic and international buyers, with many properties being snapped up within 48 hours of being listed.

In the Spring Budget on Wednesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced new government measures for the housing market, including an extension of the current stamp duty holiday and a mortgage guarantee scheme to help first time buyers get onto the property ladder.

“Along with help for first-time buyers, an extension of the current stamp duty holiday up to £500,000 until the end of June plus a continued stamp duty reduction up to £250,000 until the end of September is certainly a further boost for the housing market and terrific news for both buyers and sellers. This will remove any fear of market panic and, I’m sure, keep sales buoyant into Autumn and beyond," the estate agent said.

“With Rightmove reporting a record high in online house-hunting last month, clearly there are a lot of buyers aiming to move this year, both in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and from abroad. We’re expecting to be busy for many months to come.”