CLYDEBANK'S Aulds bakery has shut as more than 100 jobs have been lost in stores across the west of Scotland.

Just eight Aulds will remain open while another 18, including in Clydebank and Dumbarton, have shut.

The bakery in Clyde Shopping Centre closed last week.

It was the latest blow to the centre but bosses remain upbeat with TJ Hughes confirmed to open in the former BHS site in October and the recently closed Poundworld space now under offer.

Last month, joint liquidators from RSM Restructuring Advisory were appointed to Aulds' retail arm, Thomas Auld & Sons Limited and formally closed that business on Wednesday.

The company said it faced difficulties with increasing ingredient, distribution and wage costs over several years.

The group reported a loss of £430,000 on a turnover of £15.4 million in the year to April 1 2017. Turnover increased from £15.2 million the previous year.

Alan Marr, managing director of Aulds and a fourth-generation descendant of founder Thomas Auld, said: "It goes without saying that we deeply regret the jobs lost and do not underestimate the impact that will have on the individuals involved and their families.

"We only embarked on this course of action after exhausting every other possibility, but we were simply unable to sustain the losses being made by the retail business.

"We're extremely pleased that we've been able to preserve 75 roles as part of this process and keep the Aulds brand on the high street. The response and support from our customers has been very encouraging and we'd like to thank them for their loyalty during a difficult period for our business."

The stores remaining open are in The Piazza in Paisley, St Enoch Centre in Glasgow, Hamilton Way, Brisbane Street and West Stewart Street in Greenock, Kempock Street in Gourock, High Street in Johnstone and Aitken Street in Largs.

Aulds will also continue to operate its two other subsidiary companies, Aulds Bakeries Limited, which manufactures fresh and frozen bakery, and Aulds Delicious Desserts, which has a manufacturing facility at Inchinnan. Around 200 jobs at those sites have not been affected.

Paul Dounis, joint liquidator, said: "This deal represents the best deal for customers and creditors of Aulds, and we're grateful to staff and customers for their understanding over the last few weeks."