Medway's biggest landlord, mhs homes, has announced the closure of its commercial services division which employs 80 people.

Poor trading results as a result of difficult economic conditions are being blamed.

The decision will only affect services provided to external organisations and will not impact on the work carried out for mhs tenants.

It is estimated that 13 jobs are at risk.

Chief executive Ashley Hook said: "Our first priority is to either redeploy staff to the roles within the mhs group or to transfer them to new providers.

"Wherever possible, our aim is to minimise this number and to support redundant staff to find alternative employment."

The commercial side was started in 1992 by mhs homes to carry out maintenance work at its own grounds and buildings.

The company operates as an independent, commercially-run business with clients in both the public and private sector of housing.

The closure comes into effect from April 1, 2014.