Lenders have begun clamping down on loan-to-value (LTV) amounts for mortgages, but according to MoneyFacts.co.uk there is still hope for many first-time buyers.

The financial website noted that numerous deals are springing up in the market as financial institutions seek to shore up borrowing among reliable prospective homeowners.

"Lenders are still supporting first-time buyers, they''re possibly just being a little bit more prudent in how they advance their funds," said Darren Cook, head of mortgages at Moneyfacts.co.uk.

He noted that banks are often keen to accept guarantors, meaning that third parties such as parents can help their children purchase a property by stumping up security in the form of their own home or other assets.

"It''s not all doom and gloom for first-time buyers," Mr Cook concluded, though he accepted that most will now have to raise higher deposit amounts before being considered for a mortgage.

Since the beginning of December 2007, 11 mortgage lenders have reduced their maximum LTV on some or all of their mortgage range.