UPDATE 1-Johnson Service plans 82.5 mln stg uniform unit sale

(Adds detail, company comment)

LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) - Troubled UK dry-cleaning firm Johnson Service Group (JSG.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said it plans to sell its uniform making division for 82.5 million pounds ($168.9 million), in its latest attempt to avoid breaching its borrowing limits.

The firm said on Friday it was proposing to sell Johnson corporate clothing limited to an entity controlled by divisional management and buyout firm Gresham LLP, and said it had agreed a refinancing deal.

"This refinancing and the sale of Johnson Clothing Limited are both major steps in securing financial stability for the Group," chairman Simon Sherrard said in a statement.

Johnson has been trying to sell its three non-core units -- hotel supplier Stalbridge Linen Services, Workplace Engineering and specialist dry cleaner Alex Reid -- for some time, but has not found buyers willing to pay a suitable price.

Having already scrapped its dividend and seen its chief executive quit, the firm is now being forced to shed one of its more important divisions.

Analysts also fear the firm might have to issue more shares to prop up the business.

Johnson said shareholders still had to back the plans but said 64.6 million pounds of proceeds would be used to reduce debt.

It hinted a rights issue could be on the cards after putting in a clause into its new debt facility. It said the new facility would become "significantly less expensive and offer further benefits in the event of an equity fundraising of at least 25 million pounds before 31 March 2009". (Reporting by Marc Jones; editing by Rory Channing)