A Walthamstow street has the highest density of estate agents in England, according to research carried out by a property website.

EMoov.co.uk found 24 of the 75 units in Hoe Street were estate agents, beating Church Street in Barnes, which has a ratio of 11 of 32, into second place.

Russell Quirk, founder of online estate agency eMoov.co.uk, said: “Current planning laws enable estate agents to be classed like banks and building societies, meaning they can move into empty bank buildings without applying for a change of use.

"We often hear that estate agents are taking over our high streets, and our research has found that not only is it true, but it’s true to an alarming extent.”

Resident Sam Adams, of Barclay Road in Walthamstow, described the situation in the area is "ridiculous".

He said: "A new estate agent seems to appear each month in Walthamstow since the economy started to pick up. It's getting ridiculous.

“When the next recession comes half of them will probably close down again and the cycle will repeat.

“It destroys the sense of community in the area.”