Seven out of ten active property investors are planning to add to their portfolio this year, a new survey has revealed.

The Homebuyer and Property Investor Show polled 1,000 people who have visited the event in the past and found that 49 per cent of those keen on snapping up more properties this year plan to rent them out, with 40 per cent hoping to make a profit from long term price increases.

It comes in spite of the ongoing impact of turmoil on world financial markets sparked by the US subprime mortgage crisis last year and predictions of a housing market slowdown in the UK.

Nick Clark, managing director of the show, said: "Well-informed, forward looking, serious investors are looking to capitalise on the current market and with interest rates expected to fall in the coming months, this really is an opportune time for investment."

"People need to look at property as a long-term investment."

It follows research released last week by the Association of Residential Letting Agents which found that 90 per cent of investors do not intend to sell their portfolio for 17 years.