Early signs the housing market may pick up later this year have been detected.

Activity across Scotland was stable last month but the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors survey suggests both activity and prices could start to increase.

A balance of 10% more chartered surveyors report a rise rather than a fall in predicted sales in the coming months.

Sarah Speirs, director of RICS Scotland, said: "Sales expectations are positive.

"There is a clear belief we are reaching a point of improvement and optimism. It is encouraging to see a longer-term increase predicted for prices across Scotland."

Chris Hall, of Rettie & Co estate agents in Edinburgh, said: "The market has shown welcome life in the last two months with transactional volumes well up in preferred districts of Edinburgh and Glasgow."