Gross mortgage lending totalled £21.8 billion in February according to the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. This figure, a record for February, was down by 5% on January's £23 billion of lending, but is 22% higher than the £17.9 lent in February 2005.

February is typically the weakest month of the year for mortgage lending because of the slow-down in house-buying between the autumn and spring. However, house-buying activity has remained strong in recent months demonstrating consumer confidence in the housing market.

CML director general Michael Coogan said: "Today's gross mortgage lending figure is the fourth record in consecutive months. Confidence in the housing market is strong and demand has returned to the levels we witnessed two years ago. Areas which saw sluggish activity over the past couple of years such as London and the South East are now seeing a clear strengthening in house prices."

"House-buying activity and mortgage lending looks set to remain well supported over the coming year."

"The economy is in good shape and interest rates look stable. But, the latest mortgage approval figures suggest the upward trend in activity might be drawing to an end. If that does happen, it would be in line with our forecasts of some moderation in activity through the year."

The Council of Mortgage Lenders' members are banks, building societies and other lenders who together undertake around 98% of all residential mortgage lending in the UK. There are 11.6 million mortgages in the UK, with loans worth around £967 billion.