Hundreds of Halifax workers across the south are to be affected as the firm prepares to axe more than 50 branches.

The company announced plans to shut 53 branches in the south, shedding 100 staff and transferring another 450 to its banking arm – one quarter of the company's 2,200 UK estate agency workforce.

The firm has refused to reveal the location of the branches earmarked for closure.

But BusinessWeek has learnt two branches – one in West Street, Havant, and one in the Gosport's High Street – are due to be shut.

They are expected to close on September 19, and it is believed around 12 staff will be affected.

In a statement, the firm said it plans to 'focus on its core markets in the Midlands and the North' retaining 151 branches in these areas.

It laid the blame for the cost-cutting closures with the deflating housing market, but said the closures made the branches which are to remain open more secure.

Ged Nichols, general secretary of the Accord trade union, which represents a large number of the firm's workers, said: 'Many of the offices which will be affected are co-located within bank branches. There's a spread of branches across the country, but the details of which they are haven't been released.

'All those affected have been offered the opportunity to be transferred to the company's banking branches, and we're not expecting any compulsory redundancies.

'Given the scale of change, it's actually quite a small-scale story.

'Most will be re-employed, and those that choose to go will be offered good terms.'

Unite also represents a smaller proportion of the workforce.

Those who opt for voluntary redundancy are to receive a severance package, depending on the length of their service.

The deal is to pay workers one month's salary for each year of service, up to a maximum of 24 months.

The changes are set to affect workers at all levels up to senior management.