Different farms sold recently in Lancashire confirm that the market remains strong, particularly for bare land parcels, according to local agent Armitstead Barnett.

"The bare land market in the last 12 months has shown a healthy increase of approximately 10% across the board for all grades of land," said the firm's Richard Furnival. "However the question on everyone's mind now, is whether the land market will mirror that of the residential markets."

One of the most significant sales was Park Farm at Preesall (pictured), which Mr Furnival described as one of the best-equipped large-scale intensive dairy farms in the area. It quickly went under offer at a guide price of £2.7m.

The farm had capacity to milk 500 cows through a 50-point rotary parlour and also featured a large seven-bedroom farmhouse and a five-bedroom bungalow set in 236 acres.

Another farm to attract strong interest was the 206-acre Higher Lickhurst near Preston. The upland unit with sporting potential made its £840,000 guide.

Two farms on the edge of Lytham also sold quickly. Birks Farm, a 140-acre dairy holding, made £2.075mm, with bare land fetching £6470-7800/acre. Secondly, Moss Side Villa Farm - an 80-acre stock farm - was sold for £1.030m, with bare land blocks realising £5800/acre.

Mr Furnival hoped the strong interest continued with the launch of an upland holding - Landskill Farm at Barnacre - near Preston. It features a listed farmhouse, cottage, traditional building and 123 acres of grade 4 land and Mr Furnival said the farm would appeal to commercial and lifestyle farmers. Guide price is £825,000, with the bare land guided at £3000/acre.