Two Woolworths stores in Harrow will close on December 27 as part of a mass Christmas cull, it has been announced.

Stores in the St George's Centre and Bridge Street, Pinner, are among the 206 shops nationwide facing the axe, with the remaining 600 likely to be shut by January 5.

Deloitte, the accountancy firm which has worked to save the firm, has said it is confident leases on the stores will be sold and has thanked staff for their support.

But this will be little consolation for the 113 members of staff at the two shops closing in Harrow next week, who will face spending the festive season job hunting.