A housing association is to set up an estate and lettings agency.

Not-for-profit Ongo Homes, which is based in Scunthorpe and has over 10,000 properties in north-east Lincolnshire, says its new business will have separate branding.

Since 2007, Ongo has taken over an employment agency and a roofing business and also operates as locksmiths.

Lisa Fleming, Ongo’s head of marketing, told the local paper: “The commercial team at Ongo is planning to extend its business into private property sales and lettings as part of our ambitious plan to grow.

“This will be a completely separate business, branded individually, but as with all Ongo subsidiaries, profits raised will be reinvested into the development of local homes and communities.

“We are not able to give further information at the moment as we are still in the planning stages of this commercial venture.”