The government's new Help to Buy scheme has been described as a 'runaway success' by a Kent developer.

Hillreed Homes credits the new scheme with 50% of sales at its latest development, Iwade Meadows in Iwade.

An average of one to two homes are being sold every week at the estate near Sittingbourne, with interested parties registering for plots before they are even released.

Head of sales and marketing Jo Richards said: "We have benefited from incentives including the runaway success of the Help to Buy Government Scheme which accounts for 50% of the sales at this development."

Help to Buy is available to all, not just first-time buyers. Prospective homeowners only need a minimum 5% deposit to qualify, and it is available on all new build properties up to the value of £600,000, with no household annual income limit. The Government will lend up to 20% of the value of the property through an equity loan, which will be interest-free for the first five years and can be repaid at any time or on the sale of the home.

Jo added: "This has been a marvellous start following its recent launch. We have built a considerable number of homes in this village in recent years so knew that there was a strong demand for this type of property.”

For information visit www.hillreed.co.uk