HUNDREDS of Hampshire jobs could be at risk after a major chain announced it was cutting a quarter of its stores.

Homebase will close 25 per cent of its shops across the country over the next three years.

The chain employs 17,000 people across 323 stores, including eight in Hampshire.

Homebase has branches in Southampton, Hedge End, Winchester and Fareham and their future is still up in the air.

And when contacted by the Daily Echo, Homebase declined to comment on whether decisions had been made over individual shops.

Home Retail Group, which owns Homebase and Argos, made the announcement while confirming its half-year financial results.

Chief Executive John Walden said a review of the business found “inconsistent store operating standards” at Homebase and also had low sales despite having hundreds of shops.

He said: “Homebase is a good business with the basis for future growth. In this context, Homebase will pursue a three-year plan through to the end of 2018 to improve the productivity of its store estate, strengthen its propositions and accelerate its digital capabilities by leveraging Argos' investments.

“This will position Homebase as a smaller but stronger business, ready for investment and growth.”

It is understood some closures will come about through expired leases while other buildings will be sold.

The company has also pledged to transfer employees to other branches where possible to try to protect jobs.

A spike in online sales is another reason for the closures.

Meanwhile Argos posted a £30.9m pre-tax profit up to the end of August ahead of the busy Christmas period, with sales from mobiles and tablets rising 45 per cent.