Darlington Building Society is making extra funds available to meet an enormous local demand for its new discount and fixed rate mortgages.

The society has made its best mortgage deals exclusively available to people living in County Durham, the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.

Discounted mortgages, with rates as low as 3.69 until April 30, 2005 and a fixed rate of 4.59 per cent until April 30, 2006 are available.

There are no compulsory insurances, no valuation fees to pay and no extended tie-in periods following the end of the discount or fixed rate period.

Mortgage rates are at low levels with Darlington Building Society generally offering the lowest mortgage rates since the 1950s.

David Copland, marketing and communications manager at Darlington Building Society, said: "From the day these new mortgage products were launched, we have experienced exceptional demand, proving that our strategy of focusing on providing the best mortgage deals to local people is the correct one.

"Funds for all our mortgage products are, however, strictly limited so I would advise anyone thinking of moving home or simply looking to move their mortgage for a better deal to contact their local branch of Darlington Building Society without delay.