The number of houses sold in Scotland increased last month, as confidence continued to return to the market.

The market stability seen in recent months translated into an uplift in sales during February and surveyors are cautiously optimistic the trend will remain stable.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) survey also revealed a boost in demand for property as more Scots considered buying a new home.

The amount of homes coming on to the market also rose last month.

Sarah Speirs, director RICS Scotland, said: "It's encouraging to see the housing market appears to be picking-up across most parts of Scotland, despite on-going concerns about the health of the economy.

"Activity is still down on its pre-crisis norm, but it is running at its best level since the middle of 2010 and we see positive signs."

The survey found house prices had fallen, although it reported that surveyors expect prices to continue to stabilise over the next three months as confidence returns to the market.

Thomas Baird, of Select Surveyors, Glasgow, said: "The number of Home Report instructions has remained steady and we are now preparing to enter into a busier turn of the year. We expect valuations to increase slightly overall this year."