More mortgages were lent to first-time buyers than to home movers in February.

Altogether there were 50,000 home purchase mortgages – the highest level for February since 2007.

There were 25,200 first-time buyer mortgages, 2.4% more than in February 2017.

The average first-time buyer was 30, with a gross household income of £41,000, trade body UK Finance said.

There were 24,800 home mover mortgages, 1.9% up on the same month a year earlier.

The average home move was 39, with a gross income of £55,000.

Remortgaging was up markedly at 35,400. This was 11.3% higher than in February 2016.

However, the number of buy-to-let mortgages for home purchase was down 8.8% year on year, to stand at 5,200.

By contrast, the number of buy-to-let remortgages was 20.5% higher, at 14.100.