At Crest Nicholson's Liberty Park development, Wainscott, near Strood, buyers only need a five per cent deposit to land one of the two or three-bedroom homes on offer.

With prices starting from £149,500, potential purchasers can secure a new home with a deposit of £7,475.

The offer runs in conjunction with Santander, which is offering a 90 per cent mortgage, specifically for first-time buyers of newly-built houses.

With Crest Nicholson's five per cent deposit scheme, first-time buyers need to raise five per cent of the deposit themselves and Crest Nicholson will match this. This offer is not a loan, it is a gift incentive from the housebuilder.

Annette Cole of Crest Nicholson Eastern said: "It is concerning to think that three-quarters of potential first-time buyers are worried they won't be able to afford a home in the next five years, while being forced to rent for longer and struggle to save up a deposit.

"With Crest Nicholson's five per cent deposit paid scheme and the mortgage offer from Santander, we are hoping that more people will be able to raise the five per cent deposit needed."

Jacqueline Fullerton of independent financial advisers Sacre Associates said: "For many first-time buyers getting a deposit together is proving to be a challenge, especially as the average deposit needed is 15 per cent of the property's value.

"I hope that this offer encourages more competition from other lenders to help the first-time buyer market grow."

Liberty Park has stylish coach houses and two, three and four-bedroom houses.

Externally, properties blend traditional design elements, such as weatherboarding and hanging tiles, with features including dormer windows and varied roof elevations to create a development that suits the Kent vernacular.

Homes are in pretty tree-lined boulevards, surrounded by landscaped open space.

Prices at Liberty Park start from £149,500 for a two-bedroom coach house, £198,500 for a three-bedroom house, and £360,000 for a four-bedroom house.

For further information please call Crest Nicholson on 0870 752 4382.