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More than half of first-time buyers received financial help from their family to make house purchases last year, according to estimates by estate agency Savills.

The annual report by Savills suggests that 52% of first-time buyers received assistance from the bank of mum and dad last year, which could also include other donors from the family.

It estimated 173,500 first-time buyers received assistance last year, receiving a total of £9.6bn.

That rate would be higher for many first-time buyers unable to offer a large deposit, and much higher than a few years earlier.

"First-time buyers are still feeling the impact of higher mortgage rates and tougher lending criteria," he said.