AN OXFORDSHIRE estate agent is to close at the end of the month, while another 13 jobs have been axed at a second property group.

Hodsons branch in Bicester is the latest in a series of agency closures in the county, while Andrews estate agents announced 13 redundancies, but says no offices will close.

Ronda Green, of Andrews, said: "Staff losses focus around services where client interest is currently very low, such as enhanced weekend, administrative support and some sales roles. Those affected, wherever possible, have taken up job opportunities within Andrews Group."

Andrews chief executive Michael Robson said they had deferred the decision as long as possible. "While I am deeply saddened by the move I am confident, that in doing so, we have secured a more dynamic and robust estate agency business."

He added that diversifying into lettings and property management had proved to be "a wise decision" which would help the group manage the downturn.

David Hodson, who founded Hodsons in 1970, said the Bicester office closure was partly because of the state of the market, and partly because the lease was due for renewal.

"We needed to take a decision on whether to sign up or retrench to our heartland area of south Oxfordshire," he said.

Mr Hodson said most of the staff had been made redundant. He could not put a number on the redundancies, but nine Bicester staff are pictured on the company's website.

Bicester had been particularly badly hit by the downturn, he said: "Business levels are down 40 to 50 per cent overall, and at least 50 per cent in Bicester."

He added: "Fortunately, we are also solicitors, and that enables us to be fairly strong compared with people who are just relying on estate agency."

Bicester was also hit by the 50 branch closures across Britain by Countrywide, the UK's largest estate agent - which incorporates Bairstow Eves, Adkin and Buckell and Ballard. Several Adkin branches - including those in Bicester and Headington - closed and merged into Buckell and Ballard offices nearby, resulting in several redundancies.

Jones and Turner, in Oxford Road, Cowley, closed earlier this year, but there were no redundancies and its work was taken over by Charles Lawson.