One of Bradford's biggest housing associations is to merge with a Leeds rival.

The Bradford-based B&N Group and Leeds Federated Housing Association will form one of the largest organisations of their kind in Yorkshire.

Today the two companies said the move was "good news" and would lead to a better service for customers.

They stressed the B&N offices in Senior Way, Bradford, and in Shipley, and the Leeds Federated Housing Association headquarters in Westfield Road, Leeds, would be maintained and no jobs would be lost among the 200 staff. B&N chairman Tony Gadie said the deal would create one of the biggest and most influential community investment businesses in the region and would allow the firm to have a bigger say in Yorkshire's strategic development and give greater access to funds and resources.

"At B&N, we have always firmly believed that partnerships are all about mutual benefits - improving service, performance and efficiency for customers, the sector and our neighbourhoods and communities," he said.

"By merging with Leeds Federated, we can continue with our passionate commitment to the well-being of people living in our local communities, further building our business around our customers' needs and aspirations."

He said staff would benefit from improved training and career opportunities.

B&N Group, formerly known as Bradford and Northern, has a customer base of about 13,000 and manages more than 3,500 homes across Yorkshire.

As well as its housing activities, the business is also involved in a £47 million mental health care project at seven sites in Leeds.

Leeds Federated Housing Association manages about 4,250 properties in West and North Yorkshire.