Slough has come second in a ranking of the places in Great Britain (outside London) where first-time buyers account for the biggest proportion of home sales.

The research by Halifax found that, in Slough, 73% of all buyers were first-time buyers in 2023.

Halifax attributed the high percentage in part to housing affordability in Slough.

With an average first-time buyer property price of £322,961, the market is cheaper than nearby London, where the average price for first-time buyers is a whopping £490,235.

The Slough figure is nevertheless around £75,000 above the "British average," says Halifax.

Another factor is Slough's favourable transport situation - its excellent rail links to London, and its convenient distance from Heathrow, being just two examples.

Sometimes seen as part of the UK's 'Silicon Valley' along the M4 corridor, and as a fast-growing hub for data centres, Slough's tech potential is also a pull.

Slough was pipped to the top spot by the City of Manchester - but it beat out contenders including Sandwell (third), Leicester / Oadby (fourth), and Reading (fifth).

The list was rounded out by, in order from top to bottom, Thurrock, Dartford, Knowsley, Wolverhampton, and Luton.

The Great Britain average percentage of first-time buyers among all buyers in a given area in 2023 was 49%.

Amanda Bryden, head of Halifax Mortgages, said: “First-time buyers are often more willing to relocate to new areas in pursuit of finding the ideal home within their financial reach.

"This flexibility opens up a broader range of possibilities and can lead to more affordable housing options.

"Buying your own home remains one of the best long-term financial decisions you can make, and across the UK several locations stand out for their appeal to first-time buyers."

Toby Leek, of Propertymark, weighed in to say: "It is positive to see such an uplift on the number of first-time buyers having the confidence and ability to approach the housing market.

"Getting a foothold on the housing ladder is a massive undertaking and has been even more so considering all the economic turbulence of the last few years.

"With Parliament now back in session, it’s vital the UK Government share their timetable on tackling current issues and especially concerning what future support may be offered to those who aspire to buy."

Halifax's research was conducted using data from the Halifax House Price Index.