GWENT'S very own Bridget Joneses have become a growing force in the housing market, a survey shows.

The number of single women buying their first home has doubled in the last 20 years.

The proportion of mortgages taken out by the so-called Bridget Jones generation has risen from 9.8% in 1983 to 23.1% in 2003 across Britain, according to the Halifax.

And its reports says young women are also showing signs of becoming increasingly independent, leaving the parental home earlier than men, and also buying their first home sooner.

According to the Office of National Statistics, 56% of men and only 37% of women in England aged 20 to 24 live at home with their parents.

Craig Donaldson, head of mortgage products at the Halifax, said: "Women's role in society has changed immensely since the early 1900s and it wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that women really became a force in the housing market."

George Jakeway, from The Home Office estate agents, Newport, said he had noticed more women buying property on their own.

He said: "Women have much more independence, they have careers and want to buy their own place."

Graham Kingston, from Kingstons estate agents, Newport, said the typical single female first-time buyer may be looking at a £100,000 first mortgage.

Lee-anne Brown, 23, bought a flat in Newport in May after moving out of the family home.

Lee-anne, who works at Lloyds TSB Insurance, said: "I was watching the housing market and seeing it was going up and up and I wanted to get a foot on the property ladder.

"I was nervous about living on my own because I was used to such a busy household it was a bit daunting at first but I am enjoying it.

"I think more women now are wanting to get on the property ladder and want their own independence.

"Most of my friends have moved out with their partners or on their own or are looking for somewhere."