A BBC commissioned survey found that 28 per cent of respondents wanted a fall in house prices, compared with 22 per cent who wanted a rise.

Fleetwood estate agent, James Dyson, who is director of 1st Fylde Estates in Poulton Street, said that what he found most interesting was the 50 per cent of people who wanted things to stay the same – a consensus which is reflected in Fleetwood.

“There’s been no suggestion that people in Fleetwood want a fall in prices, or indeed a rise,” he said.

“I think if people did want prices to fall the reason would be to avoid such a big price jump in order to move up the property ladder.

“People are quite happy at the moment to trade in a stable market, at least that way they know exactly what they are getting.

“We are finding, however, that properties which are selling have to drop the price more than they would have done a year ago.

“But that is more of a correction than an indication that property prices are falling.

“Many prices were too high to start with.

“The market in Fleetwod is healthy at the moment – it’s the best time of the year to sell.

“The only draw back is the lack of first time buyers.

“Mortgages are hard to come by and has a knock on effect on the rest of the market.

“Those on the middle rung of the ladder are unable to sell without those first time buyers coming through.”