Following mergers between Orthodox congregations in the Redbridge area, two local Liberal communities are taking the first steps towards amalgamation.

Officers from Bet Tikvah, in Newbury Park, and the Woodford Liberal synagogues have agreed that preliminary merger negotiations should take place. Shul chairs Stewart Spivack (Bet Tikvah) and Bob Kamall have comfirmed this in letters to their respective members.

They describe the move as "a once in a lifetime" chance. "Both councils agreed we must make the most of this as an exciting opportunity to think positively and creatively about the future of both communities.

"There are, of course, many important issues that we need to explore in more detail and it will be some time before we can say whether a merger is feasible."