RETAILER WH Smith has announced that six stores of its stores on the high street will close down after 'a detailed review of the high street business'.

The retailer launched an overhaul of its under-pressure high street business as it revealed sliding sales and profits at the division.

It is not yet know what stores are at risk of closure.

WH Smith, which has 839 travel outlets and 607 high street stores in the UK, said the move was designed to "better structure the business for the future".

It will also see a restructure of some operational activities and a renewed focus on core ranges.

Stephen Clarke, group chief executive of WH Smith, said: "We had a good year in high street despite the well-documented challenges of the UK high street.

"During an encouraging second half, the business traded well and we quickly identified the latest trend in the market, becoming a one-stop-shop for all slime-related products.

"Despite this good performance, we are not ignoring the broader challenges on the UK high street and, during the second half, we conducted a business review to ensure our high street business is fit for purpose now and for the future."

Under the restructure, WH Smith plans to close the 20 Cardmarket stores as their leases come to an end, with affected staff transferring to nearby WH Smith stores.

The WH Smith Local franchises - which are run as concessions within independent newsagents and convenience stores - will be wound down as contracts come to an end.