Milton Keynes has been named as the UK’s first-time buyer hotspot, with this sector of the market making up nearly one in 10 households there.

The areas surrounding London dominated the top 10 list

The area’s population has increased by more than 13,000 people since 2007, while its young outlook has helped to attract those wanting to get on the property ladder, with 62 per cent of residents under the age of 44, online service Experian Property Check said.

Dartford in Kent came in second place, which has seen its population rise by more than 3,000 people in the last five years, while six out of 10 people living there are aged under 44.

Areas surrounding London dominated the top 10 list. House prices in London have remained relatively high, boosted by demand from overseas buyers, while the market in other areas of the UK has tended to be more patchy.

Swindon, which was third on the first-time buyer hotspot list, has also seen its population increase, by more than 11,600 people since 2007, and has a similar proportion of young people.

The first-time buyer share of the housing market fell back to a three-year low last autumn but has shown a small recovery in recent months.

But estate agents fear that the recent ending of a two-year stamp duty concession for first-time buyers could disrupt the market further.

Peter Turner, Experian Interactive managing director said: “In spite of difficulties across the country in getting that first foot on the property ladder, online indicators suggest the market is improving for first-time buyers.”

He said recent research had shown that internet searches for “first time buyer mortgage” were up eightfold year-on-year and those for “95 per cent mortgages for first-time buyers” had more than doubled.