Warrington Council Helps First-Time Buyers

Warrington Council will be able to help first time buyers struggling to save a deposit onto the housing market under a new Lend a Hand scheme.

It is aimed at people who can afford the monthly repayments on a 95% mortgage but dont have the big deposit the majority of lenders require.

The council will provide security worth up to 20% of the property's value which would be held with the lender, allowing the buyer to qualify for a lower mortgage rate. Lloyds TSB is the first lender to sign up to the scheme.

It is being piloted by four other local authorities in Blackpool, Northumberland, Newcastle under Lyme and East Lothian, but it could be rolled out across other areas of the UK later this year.