A Leominster supermarket is to close with the loss of 22 full-time and part-time jobs.

Loss-making Kwik Save is being sold by its owners, the Somerfield chain, and workers will be laid off at the end of March.

Company spokesman Simon Williams said the Westbury Street premises were being sold to another retailer.

He said he could not disclose the name of the incoming business or if it was a food or non-food outlet.

"Regrettably there will be no transfer of staff to the new business," said Mr Williams.

"We will be assisting our staff to find work with other local retailers and it's possible that some will be required at our Somerfield branch on the other side of the road.

"The last day of trading for Leominster Kwik Save is March 29."

Mr Williams said the operation of Kwik Save alongside Somerfield's core business has been unsuccessful - Kwik Save had incurred "substantial losses".

Leominster's was one of 77 stores being sold to other retailers or developers.

Somerfield was now to become a "single fascia group" and all future investment by the company would be in the main trading brand.

As part of the plan, 102 Kwik Save stores are to be converted to the Somerfield fascia to create a retail group with over 1,000 UK stores.

Some Kwik Save stores will survive under new ownership - 171 have been sold to Back to the Future, a new company.