The leader of Bolton Council has sought to ease uncertainty about the future of the town's Debenhams store.

The retailer announced on Thursday it was putting 10 of its 176 stores under review following a disappointing start to 2017.

This has put the future of the store in Market Place Shopping Centre in doubt but Cllr Cliff Morris said he was confident that Bolton was "open for business".

He said: "Recent years have been challenging for many of our high street stores up and down the country and today's news from Debenhams comes as no surprise.

"However, in Bolton I am confident that our investment and our shared vision with our partners is sending a clear message that Bolton is open for business.

"We can see this through our £3million investment in Newport Street, the £40million transport interchange and adjoining office development currently under construction and the £20million transformation of the Market Place Shopping Centre.

"We have a lot to be proud of in Bolton."

Debenhams chief executive Sergio Bucher outlined the company's overhaul, including plans to shut 11 warehouses as well as the 10 shops over the next five years.

A spokesman could not confirm or deny whether Bolton's store was on the chopping block but they said a list of stores under review would be revealed in the near future.

Details of the company's plans came after it announced a 6.4% drop in pre-tax profits to £87.8million for the six months to March 4.

Debenhams, which occupies three floors, has been part of the Market Place Shopping Centre since it opened in 1988.