The Welsh Government says more people in the Dwyfor area are becoming first-time homeowners thanks to a pilot scheme involving second homes.

Two years ago, just one Homebuy completion had been approved - but since then, another 25 applications have been rubberstamped as part of the affordability scheme.

Homebuy is aimed at helping people who couldn't otherwise afford to buy a home, especially in more rural communities where they may be few opportunities.

The pilot was launched as part of a range of measures to tackle the wide-scale issue of second home ownership in Gwynedd.

According to ministers, the Dwyfor area was chosen because of its geographic size, the concentration of second homes in local communities and issues facing the Welsh language.

The scheme is being hailed as a "groundbreaking" way to allow more people to live and work locally in their own area.

Housing Secretary, Jayne Bryant, said: "The Dwyfor second homes and affordability pilot continues to provide a real opportunity to assess a range of radical interventions designed to support thriving local communities in which people can afford to live and work."

“In such a small community and with Dwyfor’s particular needs, this is a real achievement, and I would like to thank Tai Teg, Cyngor Gwynedd and Welsh Government officials for their proactive approach.”

Last month, Cyngor Gwynedd became the first Welsh local authority to implement an Article 4 planning direction.

That means permission may be needed before a residential property is used as a second home, short-term holiday accommodation or for specific mixed use.

From next April, 21 Welsh councils will be able to charge a premium on either second homes and long-term empty properties or both - a move made possible by the new powers.

The Welsh Government says it encourages local authorities to use the council tax premiums to help develop affordable housing solutions.

Other measures being tested in the Dwyfor area - including the planning directions - are available to all local planning authorities across Wales.