The owner of Poundland is set to take over 71 Wilko stores - but Kingston's Clarence Street branch is not on the list of those to be saved.

Pepco Group, which owns Poundland in the UK, is expected to turn the sites into Poundland stores.

Yesterday administrators at PwC confirmed that all Wilko stores across the UK would close as there was "no prospect" of saving all 400 sites.

Rival retailer B&M confirmed last week that it will spend £13 million on a further 51 Wilko branches - but it is expected they will not be run under the Wilko name.

Meanwhile, last week Kingston's Wilko was not included in the list of the first 52 stores set to close. New Malden's store was included and will shut this week.

Nor has the Clarence Street shop been included in the further 124 branches which will shut next week, with a closing date yet to be confirmed.

Lease assignments are expected to be completed in early Autumn for the new Poundland stores.

Andy Bond, executive chairman of Pepco Group, said: "The agreement to take control of a number of Wilko store leases will help to bring Poundland's fantastic prices and offer to even more customers in the UK.

"It will be pleasing to offer employment to a number of Wilko's colleagues - who will benefit from being part of a successful and fast-growing pan-European variety discount group.

"Pepco Group is well placed for future success across Europe, supported by its market-leading customer proposition, strong balance sheet and impressive cash flow.

"The group's strategy to become a bigger, better, cheaper and simpler business will enable it to continue to providing families on a budget with great range, value and convenience for many years to come."