Britons with the funds to do so are hoping to snap up plenty of bargains in Spain, a property agent in the country has said.

Consultant for Mercers estate agent Jason Baez Sulsona told the Times he has a "vast database" of Britons wishing to be kept abreast of news on any new homes becoming available in the Jerez area.

He said of such buyers: "They are anxious to flex their buying power and take advantage of a depressed Spanish market, which will probably be one of the last in Europe to recover."

Those looking to purchase property in Spain can also get discounts of up to 45 per cent in the Costa Calida region, Mr Sulsona commented.

Last week, the Daily Mail suggested Barcelona offers a better prospect than most of Spain because it does not have the oversupply of property that exists in some areas.

It also benefits from being a glamorous city, famous for its Catalan language and culture, the paper stated.