Scores of jobs are are to be axed with the closure of the Didcot distribution centre for an international building supplier.

A total of 76 staff will lose their jobs at the Bathstore Centre, in Basil Hill Road, as part of what parent company Wolseley describes as a “supply chain efficiency programme” caused by the downturn in the building industry.

Managing director Rob Marchbank said: “Any job losses are regrettable, however there is a need to adjust our business to the prevailing market conditions.”