Website helps first-time buyers

Joint ownership of property is proving increasingly popular

A company designed to help first-time buyers purchase property by pooling their cash with others is being launched in Berkshire.

The founders of the First Rung Now website say joint ownership between friends is proving increasingly popular for many prospective buyers.

Now the firm, which has set up in Pangbourne near Reading wants to put prospective buyers in contact with each other.

Clients will be able to go online and register their interest in buying a home in a specific area.

They will then be matched with other people.

A national network of 21 websites for the UK's biggest cities and towns - including Reading - will now be run by the company.