A RUDDERLESS Marks & Spencer has taken the wrappers off its autumn collection in a bid to find some fashion credibility and ward off falling sales and boardroom ructions.

The move follows the announcement of its Per Una Due collection for style-conscious younger shoppers - a vital new market if the struggling high street giant, which employs almost 1,000 people in the region, is to see a revival in its fortunes.

Uncertainty surrounds the future direction of M&S after the departure of chairman Luc Vandevelde.

Vandevelde, who left last week, was seen to have spurred a revival in the company fortunes when he first took over but that improvement now looks to have been superficial.

M&S sales have dwindled again of late but the company is aiming to shake up the way customers shop for clothes with a series of mix-and-match collections.

The new strategy looks set to provoke outrage in some quarters because for the first time it will abandon the one- style-suits-all approach and drop larger sizes in some styles which currently go up to 26.

"There are styles that look good in plus sizes and some that don't," admitted Vittorio Radice who was promoted to director of clothing earlier this year.

The new approach coincides with the introduction of new-look stores divided into different themed areas intended to make it clear where different types of customers should shop.

It is hoped the move will enable M&S to lose its 'stuffy' image and attract more fashion-conscious shoppers.

"We need to recruit younger customers," said Mr Radice.

The new ranges - the autumn clothing hits the shops in August - and other elements of the market repositioning are viewed as key to the long-term success of the venerable British brand.

M&S, founded in 1884, currently employs 564 people at Hedge End, 182 at WestQuay, Southampton, 100 at Winchester and 70 in Fareham.