A Bexley housing association has been named in the UK's top 100 employers for the second year running, by a charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.

L&Q, who manage 5,600 homes in the borough and employ 837 staff at their office in Cray House, near Sidcup, came 64th in Stonewall's list.

The company's LGBT staff network, Spectrum, recently did up the garden at hostel for homeless young gay men, took part in London's Pride parade, and helped other companies set up similar groups.

They hope to be a "better employer and landlord for LGBT people", a spokesman added.

L&Q HR Director Tom Nicholls said: "Diversity is one of our core values and so being recognised for our continued efforts to be an inclusive employer is excellent news for all our current staff and potential new recruits."

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The Spectrum team, giving the garden makeover

Oxleas NHS trust, based in Dartford, came 32nd in the list, London Ambulance Service (LAS) came 46th and University of Greenwich 80th.

Equality and inclusion manager at LAS Janice Markey said: "We want all of our staff to feel happy and accepted for who they are, so that they can develop to their full potential.

"We are proud to be included on the index and lead the way for inclusive services for all."

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Stonewall bases the results on its Workplace Equality Index, which is created from a staff survery in participating companies.

This year it received 60,506 responses, of which over one sixth, 11,980, were from LGBT staff.