The first digital mortgage deed has been entered into the Land Register, HM Land Registry announced last week.

The ‘Sign your mortgage deed’ service removes the need for witnesses to wet signatures on paper mortgage deeds.

Signatories’ identities are verified in advance by the Gov.UK Verify service, HM Land Registry said.

The first digital deed, for a house in Rotherhithe, south-east London, was lodged by Coventry Building Society and conveyancing firm Enact Conveyancing