Hundreds of families have been helped on to the housing ladder in Oxfordshire through Government schemes since their introduction nearly two years ago, official figures have revealed.

Between April 2006 and the end of January this year, 395 contracts were signed under HomeBuy shared equity schemes in the county.

But Housing Minister Caroline Flint, who published the figures, yesterday told the Oxford Mail she believed more people could be benefiting from the schemes and urged frustrated would-be home owners to check their eligibility.

The three schemes - Social HomeBuy, Open Market HomeBuy and New Build HomeBuy - are open to social tenants, front-line public sector workers like teachers and nurses, and many other first-time buyers who live in the area.

They are designed to offer those who cannot afford to buy on the private market a chance to get their own place by either purchasing a share of a home - as little as one quarter of its full value - and paying subsidised rent on the rest or taking out an equity loan to reduce the size of conventional mortgage required.

When the home is sold any growth in value is shared by the buyer and provider.

Housing Minister Caroline Flint said: "We know how hard it can be for first-time buyers and key workers to buy a home and buyers are increasingly aware of the help our schemes can provide. We want to encourage more people to consider our schemes."

"Our new schemes not only increase affordability, they are more flexible and give buyers the chance to shop around for the best mortgage deals."

For more information about HomeBuy schemes in Oxfordshire, contact the Government-appointed HomeBuy agent Catalyst Housing Group on 0845 601 7729.