The UK supermarket giant confirmed that the closures will primarily affect the smaller Morrisons Daily stores often found on high streets and in smaller communities.

Morrisons said: "The performance of all company-owned stores across our Convenience business is subject to continuous review. Having completed the review, we are now proposing to take the tough but necessary decision to close a number of these stores over the next few months.

"This process has identified a number of stores, which were part of the McColl's acquisition, whose performance has been challenged for a number of years and which are loss-making, despite remedial action."

Last month, the company announced that "significant cost increases" due to "government policy choices" were part of the reason for the closures.

The closure of these Morrisons stores will mean the closure of local Post Offices, a move that has frustrated locals. The company has explained it would "welcome applications from nearby retailers looking to host a Post Office inside their store".

This comes following Morrisons' launch of the digital tournament sweepstake with a million-point jackpot. More Card app users could be in with a chance of winning free treats and big points as the World Cup kicks off. Ten customers with the winning team will win the prize of becoming a More Point Millionaire.

More Card app users can unveil their team between June 8-24.

Gareth Lloyd, Head of Loyalty at Morrisons, said: "Nothing says a summer of sport like a football sweepstake. This interactive More Card app game allows our customers to enjoy the football with some added rewards, from delicious bakery treats to ice creams and money-off vouchers and millions of More Points.

"We're encouraging everyone to sign up now and reveal their team ahead of kick-off. Good luck to all who take part!"

Morrisons said that customers who do not use the loyalty app will also be able to participate, as the supermarket will be rolling out wider, match-day deals for all shoppers and non-app users to celebrate when England and Scotland are playing.