T-Sql Stored Procedure Comparing String

Hi
I have a problem trying to compare a string value in a WHERE statement. Below is the sql statement.
  ALTER PROCEDURE dbo.StoredProcedure1

(
@oby char,
@Area char,
@Startrow INT,
@Maxrow INT,
@Minp INT,
@Maxp INT,
@Bed INT
)

AS


SELECT * FROM
(
SELECT row_number() OVER (ORDER BY @oby DESC)
AS rownum,Ref,Price,Area,Town,Bed
FROM [Houses]
WHERE ([Price] >= @Minp) AND ([Price] <= @Maxp) AND ([Bed] >= @Bed) AND ([Area] = @Area))
AS A
WHERE A.rownum BETWEEN (@Startrow) AND (@Startrow + @Maxrow)
 The problem is the Area variable if i enter it manually it works if i try and pass the variable in it doesn't work.
If i change ([Area] = @Area) to ([Area] = 'The First Area') it is fine. The only problem i see is that the @Area has spaces, but i even tried passing 'The First Area' with the quotes and it still didnt work.
Please help, its got to be something simple.
Thanks In Advance