Consumers have been told to seek professional mortgage advice by the director general of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) Chris Cummings.

Increasing numbers of consumers are turning to third-party mortgage experts for advice according to AMI and the lobby group has outlined a campaign to promote the importance of seeking mortgage advice.

Chris Cummings, Director General of AMI, said: "In the first quarter of this year, consumers have increasingly turned to our members to seek out professional mortgage advice.

"During this difficult period consumers need advice more than ever."

According Chris Cummings, more than 80 per cent of first-time buyers used an intermediary this year, ten per cent more than last year.

The remortgage market also saw a ten per cent increase in the number of people seeking mortgage advice, he said.

Chairman of the AMI John Gummer called for the mortgage industry to work together for the benefit of consumers at last night''s AMI annual dinner.