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Over 1,500 mortgages were introduced into the UK mortgage market during August – the biggest increase in over 20 months. The total number of mortgage schemes listed on Mortgage Brain sourcing system increased by 25% in the past month, up from 6,081 on August 2 to 7,618 as at August 30.  The figures are a far cry from this time last year when there was a mere 0.2% increase in product availability and the total number of products stood at 2,505. Since then, more than 5,000 products have been introduced (a 204% increase).Fixed rate products claim market share of new products introduced last month. A 31% increase (1,179 new products) during August brings the total number of fixed rate products available to UK intermediaries to 5,020 – up from 3,841 available at the start of the month. Variable rate products now represent 949 of all available products – their highest in over two years – after an 85% increase (437 new products) during August.Trackers continue their downward trend, however, dropping for the third month in a row (5%) but still hold their ground as the second most popular product type, representing 1,649 of all products. There were 350 new core lender products introduced in August, representing a 17% increase in availability. There was a 29.9% rise in broker exclusives (1,187 new products) but a relatively modest 9.7% increase in lender direct products, bringing the total to 1,280.Mark Lofthouse, CEO of Mortgage Brain, said: “Compared to August 2009, the UK mortgage market has moved ahead leaps and bounds in terms of product availability, which is great news for all.“This time last year our analysis showed that five new products were introduced during August. This year the number peaks at just over 1,500. The overall 12-month analysis is equally as impressive with 5,113 more products now available in the UK intermediary market than this time last year.”