A Durham estate agent that's bucking the trend for property sales is pledging to hold on to its number one position into 2012.

News of a sluggish property market seems to have bypassed city agency JW Wood, which has outperformed its competitors for the last three years from its office in Old Elvet.  According to a survey of property websites, the company has maintained its consistent lead, selling almost double the number of properties compared to its nearest rival in the DH1 postcode area.