Staff at Burnham-on-Sea's largest shoe shop are to lose their jobs as it closes its doors to customers after 25 years.

JPS Footwear, one of the South West's biggest discount shoe centres, on the corner of Burnham High Street and Pier Street is to shut on June 6.

Since opening in 1984, the business has sold more than one million pairs of shoes and has employed more than 200 people, including many students who have gone onto careers all over the world.

Director Geoff Shickle said: "These are difficult times for all businesses, the retail world in particular. We have run a very successful business for a quarter of a century and closure would not have been considered if escalating costs, beyond our control, were likely to be capped.

"Business rates have been the final death knell for us. We pay over £1,200 a month and, as a ratio against other costs, that is entirely disproportionate.

"With a limited growth in sales, a return to profitability looked increasingly remote."

All of the staff were briefed earlier this month and a clearance sale started on February 7.

The planned closure date is exactly 25 years to the day that the store opened.

Mr Shickle added: "We see our closing down sale as the equivalent to a Woolworths in Burnham-on-Sea.

"With over 10,000 pairs of shoes in stock, there will be bargains for everyone. We envisage the next few weeks to be very exciting, although it will take a lot of hard work among the team to do this.

"We would like to thank all our customers who have valued our business over the years.

"There will be a big gap in Burnham High Street."

The store will be greatly missed by residents and visitors alike, many of whom would make a special detour on their way South during the summer months.