A NEW housing partnership has been launched which aims to give tenants better services at lower costs.

Droitwich's Spa Housing Group has merged with the Malvern-based Partnership Housing Group, with the hope of increasing opportunities in the town and surrounding areas.

Guy Weston, the former Spa Housing chief executive, and Chris Almgill, Partnership Housing Group's chief executive, believe the merger, which created the Festival Housing Group, will make the organisations even stronger.

Mr Almgill says he hopes the new name will inspire a new ethos for the group.

"Both Spa and Partnership have gained an excellent reputation for the housing service they provide.

"But we believe that the merger will enable us to further these services while also cutting costs and increasing the opportunities we have to build new homes."

Mr Weston added: "Festival's vision is to establish itself as the first choice for homes and service.

"We want to continue improving our services to tenants and we aim to treat everyone the way they would like to be treated."