First-time buyers made up for the biggest proportion of mortgage advice seekers in 2011, according to unbiased.co.uk.

Data from the advisory website showed that people looking to purchase their first property eclipsed all other forms of advice searches on its 'find a mortgage adviser' service.

On average 37 per cent of all the searches the site received were from first-time buyers. Homeowners looking to remortgage made up 33 per cent, while residential purchases and buy-to-let investors made up 21 per cent and 19 per cent respectively.

"2011 saw a busy year for first time buyers looking for help with their mortgages," said Karen Barrett, chief executive of unbiased.co.uk.

"While mortgage rates are continuing to be low as a result of the ongoing low base rate, lending criteria continue to be tight, leading to an increase in first time buyers looking for guidance and help."

She added that it is encouraging to see a rising interest in the buy-to-let sector and expects the trend to continue throughout this year.

A recent survey conducted by MyIntroducer.com and Virgin Money found that 24.78 per cent of mortgage and financial advisers expected to see more first-time property buyers pass through their doors during 2012.