POLITICIANS from Torfaen have pledged to support staff of Cwmbran's branch of Marks and Spencer after it was announced the store could be set to close, putting 74 jobs at risk.

The national retailer made the announcement earlier this week as part of a UK-wide proposal, which involves closing 17 stores across the country - with the loss of 1,045 jobs.

Torfaen's MP Nick Thomas-Symonds and AM Lynne Neagle, both Labour, have called for an urgent meeting with the company to discuss the plans.

In a joint statement they said: "We are very disappointed to hear that M&S Cwmbran may close.

"This is terrible news both for the staff and the local community.

"The store has been a key retailer in Cwmbran town centre for many years.

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"That is why we have called for an urgent meeting with the management.

"It is absolutely vital a full and proper consultation is carried out – some 74 people’s jobs and livelihoods are at risk.

"We are ready to do all we can to help."

John Turner, Marks and Spencer's head of region for south Wales, said: “The proposal to close our store in Cwmbran has been a difficult decision.

"Over the coming weeks we will be speaking with each colleague individually to discuss the proposal and what is right for them. If the proposal goes ahead we will remain dedicated to serving our local customers from our nearby stores in Newport and Cardiff, as well as on M&S.com.”

A Cwmbran Centre spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear the news that M&S is planning to close its store at the Cwmbran Centre.

"We would like to reassure shoppers that we will be speaking with M&S about the future of the store.

"Despite the challenging retail market, Cwmbran Centre remains one of the main retail destinations in South Wales and continues to attract interest from local, national and international brands.”

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National officer with shopworkers' trade union Usdaw David Gill said: "We are providing our members with the support and representation they require throughout this difficult time."

The nearest stores to Cwmbran are in Newport's Friars Walk and the Newport Retail Park.

The plans announced this week are part of an overall strategy by the company to generate one third of its sales online by 2022, which will involve closing more than 100 stores.