Newtown-based Mid Wales Housing Association has agreed to merge with Lampeter-based Tai Ceredigion Cyf, concluding two years of talks over the deal.

The merger creates a single entity which will employ 220 people and have 4,000 homes spread across Powys, Ceredigion, and into north Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

The newly-combined company will be called Barcud, and will retain its existing offices across its area – meaning it will keep the Mid Wales Housing Association offices in Newtown going as they are at present.

The move will also not result in any redundancies, and is considered a natural next step for two organisations which have been collaborating for some time anyway. Tenants are not expected to notice major changes in their service.

Talks about such a deal have been going on for more than two years, and it will come into force on October 1.

Peter Swanson, chairman of Mid-Wales Housing, said: "This is an amazing opportunity for everyone concerned and we will be working hard to ensure a seamless transition.

"Our priority is to provide the highest quality bilingual services and support for existing and new tenants and leaseholder residents."

Steve Jones was appointed as chief executive designate of the combined groups by the shadow board working towards the deal in the summer of 2019, and added: "The shadow board has been working together for over two year,and as a team, we know we can build a stronger combined organisation.

"We will develop even more affordable homes and provide greater employment and training opportunities for our staff and tenants within the Mid and West Wales region. Partnership working will bring exciting new opportunities for tenants, residents, employees and local businesses."

Of the 4,000 homes owned by the group, about 1,600 are owned by Mid Wales, and it will bring about 80 of the staff.