An estate agency has launched a scheme for health workers to stay in properties closer to hospitals as they fight the coronavirus outbreak.

Wards, part of Arun Estates, has introduced the Nearer To Hospitals Scheme across Kent, getting its landlords with properties close to hospitals to significantly reduce rental fees and tenancy lengths for people that work for the NHS.

The Nearer to Hospitals Scheme - NHS for short - aims to help doctors and nurses to be nearer where they work.

Managing director of Arun Estate Agencies Ltd, Jason Bunning, said: "We came up with the idea after hearing that some hospital workers were needing to live away from their families and self isolate.

"You feel a bit helpless, so we wanted to do our bit and our landlords clearly felt the same way."

The scheme launched at the start of April, with dozens of properties available across the whole of Kent and Medway and some NHS workers are due to move in soon.

It is also running across the whole of the south of England in Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Properties are available within the scheme are flagged up within the property search online.

To apply call the branch as normal and speak to one of the managers, who are all working from home.

To see Jason Bunning launch the scheme click here. To search for a property, go to wardsofkent.co.uk

To read more business news across the county click here.