Estate agents which sell property abroad have been accused of helping to set prices rocketing in other countries.

Representatives from the Green Party spoke out against estate agents which sell second homes in Spain.

The party believes such sales cause prices to rise out of the reach for the country's native population.

Green Party spokeswoman Irene Wills said: "This may seem to be another gloomy story, but I hope people will consider their options and holiday in this country.

"Apart from anything else, farmers need the income tourists bring to help them since the foot-and-mouth disaster."

Mrs Wills acknowledged that providing for tourists is a lucrative business, but claimed these tourists were causing water shortages in Spain, the third most visited country in the world.

In addition, having purchased their second homes, people will fly there several times a year, which will increase the need to expand airports resulting in loss of habitat, noise and population, both here and abroad.

Eveline Webster, office manager for Fisk International responsible for the sale of such properties at Fisk, in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, said: "At the end of the day, it is all about market pressure and demand and supply.

"We can understand the concerns of the Green Party but the responsibility to preserve green areas lies with the individual countries - not us."

Published Monday, June 2, 2003

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