SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons has not confirmed whether any Wiltshire branches are under threat of closure following the company’s poor financial performance.

It was announced this morning that 11 stores across the country would be shutting their doors but it has not been revealed if any Wiltshire and Swindon branches are set to be shut.

It has also been revealed all of the firm's M Local stores, of which there are branches in Wroughton and Royal Wootton Bassett, have been sold.

Morrisons has made big moves to increase its presence in the Swindon area with stores in Eldene and Regent Circus opening in 2014, to compliment the older store in Haydon Wick.

But financial figures released this week show a huge downturn in profits for the first six months of the year.

There was a drop in sales of 2.7 per cent compared to the previous leading to a fall in pre-tax profit of 47 per cent, the equivalent of £126 million.

To combat the fall and change the company’s fortunes a series the decision has been made to close the stores, at a cost of around 900 jobs.

Bosses know which stores will be closing and are in the process of contacting relevant managers and other staff. It is thought the smaller supermarkets will be most at risk.

New chief executive David Potts said the move to change was difficult but necessary.

“Morrisons will be an organisation that listens. During the first half, the new Executive and leadership teams have been listening hard to colleagues, customers, suppliers and shareholders. They tell us there is a lot for us to do,” he said.

“The immediate priority is to deliver a better shopping trip to stabilise trading performance. Our six strategic priorities will then deliver improvement in the core supermarkets, where we have the greatest opportunity.

“It will be a long journey. We approach the challenge with energy, confidence and many strengths, particularly our strong balance sheet and cash flow, which enables investment in improving the customer shopping trip.”

It was revealed on Wednesday that all of the M Local stores had been sold to retail entrepreneur Mike Greene for around £25 million.

The shops will be re-named My Local and there will be no job losses as every member of staff is being kept on.