THE Taunton store of clothing giant Peacocks is holding a closing down sale in the run up to Christmas.

The company has declined to comment on the East Street outlet, although it admits "a few stores" in its nationwide portfolio are closing.

It has also failed to give any dates for when the affected shops will cease trading.

A spokesman said: "Peacocks have over 500 stores nationwide.

"We are constantly reviewing our costs to ensure the long term profitability of our company.

"Unfortunately, this means we have a few stores that are closing down."

He would not give a reason or a date for the closures, but Peacocks appears to be the latest victim of the high street crisis which has seen several firms fold in recent years.

The closure of the Peacocks store would be a further blow to Taunton town centre, which has a number of vacant premises.

Peacocks previously closed in Taunton with the loss of 11 jobs in February 2012, when Edinburgh Woollen Mill acquired the Peacocks brand - although the county town store was among 224 not included in the sale.

It then re-opened in June 2016.