The average age of a first-time buyer in the country is now 35 with about half of all 25 to 34-year-olds saying they need a lump sum or better paid job to fund the deposit on a home of their own.

With this kind of statistic, it's not surprising that younger buyers are looking for new ways to buy their own homes rather than wasting money renting.

First Buy is a way of getting on the ladder if you're almost ready to buy - designed for first time buyers who can afford to pay a mortgage but can't afford to pay a large deposit at the outset, it is an equity loan provided by the government and the developer, interest-free for the first five years.

Sara Stanhope, of Jones Homes, said: "The first-time buyer purchases 100% of the new home but only pays 80% of the value at the outset.

"The first-time buyers pays a 5% deposit and secures a mortgage for 75% of the new property's value, the remaining 20% of the home's value is covered by the equity loan which is interest-free for the first five years."

The scheme is available at Henwood Place - a collection of 20 four-bedroom semi-detached, link-detached and detached homes in a private residential road, just off Gordon Close in the Willesborough area of Ashford.

The homes are designed, built and finished to a very high standard - and offer plenty of space.

Prices start from £275,000 for a four-bedroom link-detached home which has a kitchen/family room, dining room, lounge, two bathrooms and a garage.

For further information on FirstBuy or at Henwood Place call the sales team on 01233 629858 or go to www.jones-homes.co.uk