WHITEHAVEN'S Tesco is to stop its 24-hour trading.

It is one of 76 nationwide branches which will no longer be open through the night.

The reduction in opening hours at the town's Bransty Row supermarket will come into effect between March 14 and April 11.  

Tesco says the growth of online shopping means that certain shops had few customers during the night. The Whitehaven store will now close between midnight and 6am.

Tony Hoggett, Tesco's retail director, said: "We're always thinking about how to serve our customers better in each of our stores and with the growth of online grocery shopping, these stores saw very few customers during the night.

"It makes much more sense for colleagues at those stores to focus on replenishing the shelves instead and making sure they're fully stocked when they open their doors at 6am." 

Tesco started 24-hour trading in 1996 and currently operates around 400 stores which are open 24 hours a day. Workington's Tesco will also stop its 24-hour trading.