The Scottish Government's help to buy scheme has been extended for a further two years beyond 2019.

First-time buyers will be able to benefit from the initiative until 2021 after ministers announced a further £100m investment over a two-year period starting in April 2019.

The scheme allows people to buy new-build homes with state help, with the government providing up to 15% of the purchase price.

While it is open to both first-time buyers and existing homeowners, around two-thirds (64%) who have used the funding to date were buying a home for the first time.

More than three quarters (76%) of people who used the scheme were under 35, and exactly half were under 30.

Since its launch in 2013, the initiative has supported more than 12,000 households into a new home.

Ministers say the new funding will help around 4000 more households purchase new homes between 2019 and 2021.

Other state assistance for first-time buyers includes a means-tested shared equity scheme and the UK Government's help to buy ISA scheme.