1,300 High Street pharmacies - one in every 10 in the country, is at risk of being closed or sold, with 17,000 jobs also at risk - according to reports. The Sun says the owner of Lloyds Pharmacy has put its 1,300 branches under 'strategic review', which could mean them being sold or closed.

It comes after Lloyds announced the closure of its 237 in-store branches in Sainsbury's and 76 High Street stores. Lloyds, which employs 17,000 people, was sold to private equity firm Aurelius for £477 million.

A spokesperson for Lloyds told The Sun: “LloydsPharmacy regularly reviews its pharmacy estate to ensure it is operating sustainably and any decision to sell stores is taken in the interests of patients, colleagues and the business.

“At all times, patient safety remains our top priority ensuring that our customers and patients are always able to access vital prescriptions, health advice, products and services.”