HELP to Buy equity loans are proving hugely popular at a Keighley housing development.

Almost half of the properties at Barratt Homes' Vision scheme, in North Dean Avenue, have been bought through the initiative.

And across the district, 1,079 Help to Buy loans have been taken out since 2013 –most of them by first-time buyers.

Under the venture, the Government lends the buyer 20 per cent of the property's value in the form of an interest-free equity loan for five years.

Dan Hardcastle, sales manager at Vision, said: "It is great to see that the Help to Buy scheme is so successful, not only at Vision but across Bradford.

"It's encouraging that so many first-time buyers are able to get onto the property ladder through the equity loans, as well as those who have sold subject to contract."