The number of For Sale boards supplied by signs firm Agency Express declined 10.7% in November compared with October.

The number of Sold signs went down by 5.2%.

While both declines were to be expected seasonally, the number of Sold signs has been going down year on year since July.

Two regions bucked the trend, with an increase of 7.4% of Sold properties in the north-west and 1.4% in the south-west.

By contrast there were large monthly declines in East Anglia where there was a 21.7% drop in new listings and a 14.1% fall in Sold properties. In the north-east there were falls of 25.7% for new listings and 6.4% for properties Sold.

Stephen Watson, managing director of Agency Express, said: “Throughout November and as we approach the run-up to Christmas, we inherently expect for the market to slow in pace.

“Although we have witnessed some year on year declines, it is important to remember that overall the market remains in good shape.

“November’s figures are not unusually low. They balance up with the current activity in the property market which is more subdued.”