Supermarket chain Asda is to lose 1,360 management jobs as part of restructuring plans, while creating 5,630 roles at the same time.
The new roles will consist of 1,622 section managers and 4,008 section leaders as part of the restructuring strategy which was unveiled in November last year, after changes in the market were spotted in 2012.

Chief executive of Asda, Andy Clarke, said: "As much as it is my job, and privilege, to be chief executive of this business and to do what is right for Asda as a whole, this is one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make.

"Whilst I genuinely believe that it is the right decision for the future of Asda, knowing that it will result in valued colleagues leaving us is not easy.

"Every supermarket must adapt to the intense changes in UK retailing or they will get left behind.

"We spotted this nearly two years ago, responding with a new strategy and taking time to thoroughly examine our structures, test scenarios, talk to our colleagues and adjust our proposals accordingly.

"This thorough process has helped us to reach this difficult decision today."

The supermarket chain, which is owned by US retail giant Walmart, added that over the coming weeks managers affected by the changes would either begin training for their new jobs or taking a redundancy package.

Asda is not the only supermarket to make widespread redundancies in recent months.

Morrisons announced in June that it would lose 2,600 jobs in a bid to simplify its management structure.