A LEADING Worcester estate agents say they've seen a flurry of people trying to sell their homes due to "fears" over a Brexit.

Ben Grove, who runs Estates Direct, says property owners are worried that the implications of voting Leave could see their houses plunge in value.

It follows claims last month from Chancellor George Osborne that the property market in the UK could slump 18% in the event of Britain quitting the bloc - a stance derided by the Leave campaign.

Mr Grove, the firm's managing director, said: "We have seen a flurry of people putting their houses on the market because of the fears vendors have that a vote to leave would lead to lower property prices.

"Whilst there is some nervousness in the market, the general trend in Worcestershire is one of rising prices, and the available housing stock is selling quickly.

"We have also seen record levels of prospective buyers registering with us and demand for properties has never been so high."

He also said despite the "scaremongering" a lot of estate agents are confused about what the future could hold.

"It is hard to say, despite the scaremongering no one really knows," he said.

"But a vote to remain in the EU, with an unlimited amount of people able to live, work and rent here could see house prices continue to rise.

"Increased rents mean better profits for landlords so they start to buy houses to rent out - this would mean more competition with prices driven up by demand.

"A Brexit vote, with less people coming to the UK could see lower demand with prices falling or stagnating.

"That's not great news for sellers but it may help more first-time buyers get a foot on the property ladder."

At last month's G7 summit in Japan Mr Osborn said house prices would fall "up to 18 per cent" within two years under a Brexit, based on contested Treasury analysis.

Some property investors have been inserting so-called 'Brexit clauses' into commercial deals to allow them to pull out if Britain leaves the bloc on June 23.

But Vote Leave has called the figures "an extraordinary claim" and say the Chancellor and David Cameron are spooking the market with negativity.

Moody's, the credit rating agency, has cited possible benefits of the UK leaving the EU for first-time buyers, saying "house price and rental inflation would slow down if immigration is curbed".

Mr Osborne has responded by calling a Brexit "lose-lose" for the entire housing market.

The Worcester News revealed in March how property prices were up seven per cent across the city, based on year-on-year sales figures while Redditch, Kidderminster and Bromsgrove all saw booms of nine per cent, nearly double the UK average of five per cent.

Buyers now need more than £14,000 in extra cash to get on the property ladder compared to last year after a frenzied 12 months of activity in the city.

Estates Direct is based in St Mary's Street.