ABOUT 30 jobs are at risk after a home improvement store and garden centre announced it will close one of its Worcester branches.

Homebase will shut its Bath Road store in St Peter's, Worcester, on Saturday, April 19 when the store's lease expires following a consultation with colleagues over the past few weeks.

The brand is owned by the Home Retail Group, who also run Argos and Habitat along with a range of credit and insurance products via their Financial Services arm.

However, the affected employees could be taken on at one of a number of sister stores in the city.

A Homebase spokesman said: "We remain committed to serving the Worcester area. With our stores in Elgar Retail Park and Hylton Road, and three other stores in Worcester at our sister company Argos.

"Discussions are taking place with affected colleagues to identify alternative working opportunities where possible."