Co-location is the new buzzword in the talks aimed at bringing together Ilford's United and Federation synagogues.

Leon Newmark, chair of the Federation in Coventry Road, explained that co-location would mean the congregations sharing a site - United's Beehive Lane premises. But they would remain with their respective synagogal bodies.

"This would work only if we were on the same site," Mr Newmark said. "It would strengthen considerably the opportunities to do more in the community. We're talking about 3,000 people."

At Ilford United, chairman Maurice Shear was similarly upbeat. "The latest discussions are about being co-located and we all feel it is a good thing for everyone," he said. "It is taking time because those involved in the talks have to keep going back to their boards of management to agree so we can move forward. At the end of the process, the boards will make recommendations and then the communities would vote.

"The co-location would mean the shuls would continue under both bodies - this is not a takeover. We would use the same building and have the same religious services. This is the simplest form of amalgamation."

Sharing premises would be "very important for the future of the Redbridge Jewish community".