The shareholders of Octavia Housing have approved a rule change to enable the housing association to merge with Abri Group.

Octavia, which manages 5,000 homes and is currently non-compliant with a regulatory standard, plans to join 50,000-home Abri Group as a subsidiary next month,

Both boards have agreed to the move and the green light from shareholders means Octavia can join Abri once legal formalities have completed.