THE new housing association group formed from a merger including Malvern-based Elgar Housing is to be called Festival.

Elgar - part of the Partnership Housing Group - will formally become part of the Festival Housing Group on March 31, if its merger with the Droitwich-based Spa housing group is approved by the Housing Corporation.

Both housing groups consulted tenants about the merger and the new name was chosen from suggestions made by board members, staff and tenants.

Partnership's chief executive Chris Almgill said: "Festivals are about people, about celebrating success, bringing communities together and so are we. The new name will inspire a new ethos for the group."

Elgar Housing Association, meanwhile, is celebrating its 200th shared-ownership home. A Malvern family part bought of the new home to take the housing group's scheme up to the magic number.

The scheme aims to help people who cannot afford to buy property outright to get their feet on the first rung of the home ownership ladder.

Elgar spokesman Terry Martin said: "Many families aspire to home ownership and this scheme is a way in which we can help them achieve their goals. It also enables us to free up much-needed rented accommodation for local people."