The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has moved to calm fears over the state of the UK housing market.

Following the publication of a survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), the NAEA said that things are not as gloomy as some media reports suggest.

Rics revealed that market sentiment fell to a 30-year low in March but the NAEA pointed out that the figures conflict with other data.

In addition, the organisation said that the numbers need to be looked at in context.

"No one is denying that the housing market is in a tricky situation but it is important to keep it in perspective and we do need to exercise discretion in the figures," said NAEA chief executive Peter Bolton King.

"For instance the report states that the East Midlands is showing falling prices, yet the recently released Halifax house price index showed a 2.2 per cent rise in the same region.

"This also needs to be set against the fact that these areas have seen huge price rises over the last ten years," he continued.

Mr Bolton King also highlighted that the housing market is supported by low unemployment and high demand for housing.