Telephone answering service Moneypenny has reported a flying start to 2015, with an 18% like-for-like annual increase in calls to agents on the first three working days.

The figure takes no account of market share, but looks at exactly the same sample group of agents.

The firm said that the six days since last Friday had been “incredibly” busy.

It added that this Monday was its tenth busiest day since October 1.

The firm said that last year it answered 1.1m calls on behalf of agents.

Last May was the busiest single month, but overall, quarter three racked up the highest number of calls.

The firm currently supports over 800 estate and letting agents, answering calls that might otherwise be missed.