FIXED-RATE mortgage deals are being taken off the market by banks and building societies, it was revealed today.

Reports said up to 12 lenders had suspended popular fixed-rate mortgages, with some withdrawing their entire range.

The move will deny borrowers the chance to avoid the Bank of England's next increase in interest rates.

The withdrawal of fixed-rate deals began after the bank raised its rate to 5.25% last week - its highest rate in almost six years.

Around 60% of householders have fixed-rate deals, with the rest vulnerable to variable rates.

Financial advice website Moneyfacts said customers were rushing to take out fixed-rate mortgages - which protect borrowers against changes in the rate of borrowing for a set period - in case of further rises.

Julia Harris, of Moneyfacts, said: "With a further rate rise on the cards for 2007, those consumers on a tight budget will need to act quickly before more best-buy, fixed-rate deals vanish."

David Hollingsworth, of mortgage broker London & Country, said people were "rushing" for the few remaining fixed rate mortgages with rates at less than 5%.

Nationwide, Alliance & Leicester, and ING are some of the lenders which offer fixed rates under 5%, but these could be withdrawn at any time, Mr Hollingsworth warned.

The news comes a day after a report suggested the higher interest rate had begun to bite, with house price inflation cooling in December.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said 34% more of its members reported a rise in prices than a fall during December, down from 46% in November.

The figures show house prices rose for the 14th consecutive month but provided the first signs the interest rate rise in November had started to have an impact, with the pace slowing to levels last reported in August.

However, levels remain more than double the long-term average of 21%.