THE Restaurant Group, which runs Frankie & Benny's, will shut 125 of its restaurants after its creditors voted in favour of a restructuring deal.

Lenders approved the group's Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) deal which will slash its leisure restaurant portfolio, which primarily consists of Frankie & Benny's sites.

The restructure, which was first announced earlier this month, will also affect its smaller Garfunkle's and Coast-to-Coast chains.

Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group (TRG), said: "These are exceptionally challenging times for our sector and TRG is extremely grateful for the support shown by our creditors in today's vote.

"The approval of the CVA is a critical component in ensuring the future prospects for our leisure business.

"I would like to wholeheartedly thank our colleagues who have shown extraordinary commitment throughout the process."

It is not yet known if the St Helens branch will be affected.