SAINSBURY'S is to shut its store in Prestwich's Longfield Centre after almost 20 years.

Staff were told yesterday morning (Mon Feb 26) and given three months' notice of the closure.

The company said the closure was unavoidable as it had been "making a steady loss for several years".

Store manager Mr Frank Almond said: "We've looked long and hard at all of the options, attempting to reformat the store in a different way, but in the end we couldn't avoid the very difficult decision to close."

It is not yet known how many of the 138 employees will be made redundant but Sainsbury's said it was looking for opportunities for those who wished to work in other stores within the company.

A spokesman said: "We want to try to keep as many employees as possible and there will be a chance to move to other stores, such as the one at Heaton Park. Redundancy is a last option but is obviously one for those who do not wish to be redeployed."

The spokesman said Sainsbury's would be assessing the needs of each individiual during a 90-day consultation period, when counselling and advice on future options would be offered.

The store will close on Saturday, June 9.