Small deposit borrowers saw their share of the mortgage market continue to increase in November as approvals rose across the board, surveyors claim.

Data from e.surv estimates there were 67,109 mortgages approved during November, up 4% annually.

Of these, surveyors predict 25.9% went to small deposit borrowers – those with deposits of up to 15% – typically first-time buyers.

This is up from 24.6% in October.

On an absolute basis, the number of small deposit borrowers grew from 16,485 to 17,381 during the month, e.surv said.

Meanwhile, large deposit borrowers -those putting down up to 40% – saw their share continue to fall.

They accounted for 28.9% of the market in November, lower than the 29.6% recorded a month before.

Some 45.2% of all loans went to mid-market borrowers in November, lower than 45.8% recorded in October.

Yorkshire was the area with the highest market share for small deposit borrowers, recording 34.8% in November. This compared to just 20.7% for large deposit borrowers.

As usual, London was the part of the country most dominated by those with larger deposits, at 38.2%. versus just 16.5% for those with smaller cash piles.

However, the proportion of mortgages to small borrowers in the capital was still up from 14.7% in October.

Richard Sexton, director at e.surv, said: “The market has continued to shift towards those first-time buyers and others with smaller deposits, and away from those with large amounts of equity in their property.

“Almost 1,000 additional small deposit buyers achieved their dream of home ownership this month compared with October.”