The C&A store in Brighton has announced it will close in January with the loss of all 39 jobs.

Workers at the 30-year-old store in Western Road will be given help in finding new employment before it shuts for the last time on January 28.

The company announced its decision to discontinue its entire UK operation in June, blaming an increasingly competitive clothing market.

C&A's UK managing director Neil McCausland said: "The decision to close has been a very difficult but necessary step.

"However, the commitment and loyalty of the stores have been amazing."

The Western Road branch is one of 109 to go around the UK.

It is one of several leading high street retailers to leave the shopping street in the last few years.

Brighton town centre manager Tony Mernagh described the loss of the store as a "blow" for the area.

C&A, which is family-owned, has made losses of £250 million during the last five years.

Altogether 4,800 workers will be made redundant as the closures go through in phases during the next 12 months.

Stores in Eastbourne, Worthing and Crawley will also go with the loss of 125 jobs across Sussex.

A C&A spokesman said: "Our decision came in the face of continuing difficulties in the UK due to the changing face of the high street.

"Competition had become increasingly aggressive and the mid-market for clothes continued to shrink.

"It became clear C&A's product offer was not meeting UK customers' needs."

The company employs more than 35,000 staff in 560 European stores. It has traded in the UK for 75 years.