When estate agency staff were sent off to southern Spain, it wasn't to lounge on sunbeds all day soaking up the rays.

Instead they were there to soak up the atmosphere and feel of the place for folks back home.

The four-day trip for key members of the Dacre, Son and Hartley sales team was to help them learn about the region - to help sell homes in the sun.

Eight senior negotiators travelled to the Costa del Sol to familiarise themselves with the Spanish property market and give them the chance to view a number of foreign properties being marketed through its association with Spanish owned Viva Estates.

The trip was intended to equip the staff with enough knowledge on Viva Estates' properties and the region within which they are located, to give expert advice to clients back in Yorkshire.

While on the trip, the group from Yorkshire met the management, sales and administration teams of Viva Estates and toured a vast number of properties along Spain's most famous 80-mile coast line, ranging from apartments priced at around £150,000 to premium penthouses on offer at around £600,000 and luxury villas priced well in excess of £2 million.

Patrick McCutcheon, Wharfe Valley area director for Dacre, Son & Hartley who organised the trip, said: "It is extremely important that Dacres' customers receive a first-class service, regardless of whether they are buying a house in Yorkshire or Spain and in light of this the trip was a complete success.

"All negotiators who took part in the visit to Spain can now offer their clients in Yorkshire an informed opinion on which location would best suit their requirements and are also confident of the quality of properties that we are offering through our association with Viva Estates.

"The Southern Spain property market is incredibly dynamic and has seen strong price growth over the last few years due in part to the splendid environment that the coastline enjoys."

Established in 1820, Dacre, Son & Hartley has a network of 20 offices throughout North and West Yorkshire, which specialise in both residential and commercial property.