MARKS & Spencer has announced 17 more proposed store closures following on from the Keighley branch closing down last year.

The latest stores under threat include three in Yorkshire - Huddersfield, Hull and Rotherham - meaning the remaining M&S branches in the wider Bradford district are unaffected.

M&S said the proposed closures are part of its ongoing programme to reshape its UK store estate.

In November 2016 the firm announced a five-year programme to improve the quality of its clothing and home space for customers, with more than 100 stores set to close or relocate.

So far a total of 30 stores have been closed, three of which were relocated.

It was in January last year that the Keighley store in the Airedale Shopping Centre was proposed for closure, after more than 100 years in the town.

It closed later that same year affecting 33 members of staff.

Today the firm announced 16 stores that they propose to close and one store that will close and relocate to a Foodhall.

Among these was the Huddersfield town centre store, which would leave just the firm's Simply Food store at Gallagher Retail Park on Wakefield Road.

The firm is consulting with 71 members off staff at the branch over the proposed closure.

Paula Varley, M&S Head of Region for South Yorkshire and East Midlands, said: “Proposing to close M&S Huddersfield has been a difficult decision and we will be fully supporting our colleagues during this process. Over the coming weeks we will be speaking to everyone individually about what is right for them.

“We remain committed to serving the community from Halifax and our Huddersfield Simply Food store at Gallagher Retail Park. Alongside our food offering, customers visiting these locations will be able to shop for Clothing & Home in store or via our Click & Collect service.”

Since the initial announcement in 2016, M&S announced last summer that it will continue to press ahead with its programme after seeing better than expected numbers of customers moving to shop at other nearby M&S locations.

M&S currently operates large stores in Bradford city centre in the Broadway shopping centre and in Pudsey at the Owlcotes centre, as well as Simply Food stores at Bradford Royal Infirmary, a BP garage in Bingley, Guiseley and Birstall.

In addition Bradford is home to a large M&S distribution centre on ProLogis Park, just off the M606.

It was officially opened in 2010 as the largest warehouse in the M&S network.

It serves all M&S stores with furniture products, store equipment and non-refrigerated food.