Bristol & West mortgage helps graduates beat debt

A new mortgage offer from the building society Bristol & West is promising to get more graduates on the property ladder.

Much has been made of the debt problems facing young people when they finish university.

Record debts of around £10,000 make it very difficult for graduates to get a foot on the property ladder.

Bristol & West's 1st Start enables parents to go in with their children to boost their borrowing power.

"1st Start is an exciting innovation in the mortgage market that meets a very pressing need," said Paul Vinnicombe, senior product manager at Bristol & West. "Many parents are caught between a rock and a hard place, on the one hand wanting to help their children get on the property ladder and on the other needing to maximise their retirement savings.

"1st Start helps both parents and children achieve their aims with the minimum of fuss."