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Mortgages will become easier to get hold of this year, it has been forecasted.

Technical manager of broker Mortgage Force Katie Tucker observed: "We've already seen loans-to-value improving, so that will get better. We will start seeing decent 90 per cent deals at an affordable level - around five per cent - from most lenders."

These trends will be driven by increasing competition in the next 12 months, she predicted, with the result being that those looking to apply for a mortgage and with a good credit rating will be much less likely to be refused a mortgage.

Greater flexibility will also be seen from lenders, she stated.

Those keen to compare mortgages in the new year may also note that there has been a gradual increase in lending over the latter part of 2009.

A total of £3.3 billion in mortgages was lent in November, according to the British Bankers' Association.

This was up on the October total of £3.2 billion and the six-month average of £2.7 billion.