Talks had been underway to merge Broadland Housing Association, which has over 3,500 tenants in Norfolk, and Orwell Housing Association, which provides homes to almost 2,500 in Suffolk.

But at Broadland Housing's annual general meeting this week it was decided not to go ahead with the merger.

The chair of the board Colin Haddow, said it was not the right time for a merger.

"We looked at the advantages or disadvantages and we looked at the advantages that would or could accrue to tenants," he said.

"At this time we don't feel they are sufficient to make the merger economically worthwhile."