DESPITE a Christmas slump in house prices in some areas of west London, local estate agents say the property market is not heading for a crash.

According to a report by independent property research company Hometrack house prices in Hounslow borough dropped by 1.3 per cent in December, going against the national average which saw a rise for the first time in 18 months.

Now a typical home in Hounslow is worth £192,900 compared to £200,000 this time last year.

But Shez Chand, Sales Manager at Regents, of Kingsley Rd, Hounslow, said looking at a single figure does not give a fair picture of the market as certain types of property sell better than others.

Mr Chand believes a number of factors need to be taken into consideration.

He said: "December is not really set up as a big sales month or as a month when lots of properties come on because of Christmas.

"Also people selling at this time of year might take a lower figure if they are desperate to sell. Traditionally the first and last quarters of the year are not as busy as the middle two quarters."

In Mr Chand's experience the market has been pretty consistent for the last 18 months and he believes it will take a couple of months for things to level out after Christmas.

He is also confident that the area will continue to attract buyers. He said: "I'm not worried. There's so much rejuvenation in the area and so much investment from local government and companies such as Barratts who have set up a new development in the centre of Hounslow.

"As far as these figures are concerned I would not see it as the beginning of the end."