THE Mothercare store in Prescot faces an uncertain future after the company announced it will have to close 50 of its shops in a drastic attempt to avoid going bust.

The shop inside Tesco on the Cables Retail Park is one of 137 retail outlets across the country.

The babygoods chain, which has more than 3,000 employees, plans to axe one third of its operation.

The closures are part of a restructuring plan to avoid administration and are understood to involve the closure of 50 shops.

Hundreds of job cuts are expected.

The company's interim chairman Clive Whiley said: "The recent financial performance of hte business, impacted in particular by a large number of legacy loss-making stores with the UK has resulted in an unsustainable situation for the Mothercare brand.

The company has rehired its chief executive Mark Newton-Jones, who was sacked last month.

The struggling childrenswear and maternity retailer is expected to announce more details today.