A FURTHER £40 million is to be invested in a scheme which provides financial help for home-buyers, the Scottish Government announced.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the additional cash for the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme - taking the total funding it has received to £275 million.

The initiative has already helped more than 1,100 people buy a new home since it was introduced in September last year.

It has also provided "much needed economic growth" by boosting the construction industry, Ms Sturgeon said.

"This additional £40 million funding will allow more people in Scotland to buy their first home and continue to make it easier for 'second-steppers' .