Pictured above: Richard Smith settles in to his new apartment at Highfields Park in Derby.

In his first job after leaving university, first-time buyer Richard Smith was struggling to afford a new house of his own.

The 23-year-old computer information systems graduate was living in Leicestershire but working for a software developer in Belper, a commute that added hours to his day.

So when he looked at the Highfields Park development in Derby, from award-wining housebuilder Miller Homes East Midlands, Richard was delighted to find the Government-backed scheme HomeBuy Direct (HBD) he had heard about covered the two-bedroomed apartment he really liked.

The HBD scheme means that those who qualify have the opportunity to purchase 100 per cent of a property by paying only 70 per cent of the value, with both Miller Homes and the Government equally funding the remaining 30 per cent.

The 30 per cent equity loan will only become repayable after 25 years or when the customer sells their home, whichever comes first, and there is no interest payable for the first five years.

Richard said: "Without HBD, I would not have been able to buy the apartment. It's as simple as that. Now I have a spacious place, in a great location and the commute to work has been reduced to about 15 minutes.

"The second-floor apartment I have now is open plan, with a kitchen dining area that is ideal and two bedrooms, which is great when friends or relatives come to stay. I really would recommend HBD and Miller Homes."

Highfields Park, which lies close to the popular suburb of Darley Abbey, is just a short car ride, bus journey, or 20 minute walk from the bustling centre of Derby, with its range of high street shops and independent stores.

It is also close to key commuter routes, so travelling to Nottingham, Sheffield, Stoke or Birmingham is easy.

Joy Goodman, sales director at Miller Homes East Midlands, commented: "Innovative schemes like HBD are making new homes affordable and within reach of people who would otherwise not have been able to.

"It's great that Richard has found a property that suits his requirements, and it goes to show confidence in the new homes market is growing and that getting on the property ladder has never been easier."