Marks and Spencer is planning to close 14 stores and cut hundreds of jobs.

The six stores to close in April are Birkenhead, Bournemouth, Durham, Fforestfach in Swansea, Putney and Redditch. Staff have been offered jobs in nearby stores.

The closure of another eight shops has been proposed, which will affect 468 staff. The eight stores are: Andover, Basildon, Bridlington, Denton outlet store, Falmouth, Fareham, Keighley and Stockport.

It follows a disappointing Christmas period for M&S, when sales of both food and clothing fell.

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