TOPSHOP tycoon Sir Philip Green has announced plans to close 23 stores in the UK and Ireland from his Arcadia Group.

Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Topshop and Topshop stores have been earmarked for closure as part of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA).

The move is set to put 520 jobs at risk.

Stores in the North West have been largely avoided, with only the Topshop and Topman stores in Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, affected.

All of the retailer's 11 Topman and Topshop stores in the US are also set to close.

Arcadia directors will meet creditors at meetings on June 5 to seek approval for the proposals. Seventy five per cent of creditors will have to approve the plans.

Arcadia chief executive Ian Grabiner said: "Against a backdrop of challenging retail headwinds, changing consumer habits and ever-increasing online competition, we have seriously considered all possible strategic options to return the group to a stable financial platform.

"This has been a tough but necessary decision for the business.

"We will ensure all potentially affected colleagues are kept fully informed as we seek approval from our creditors on today's CVA proposals."

UK Arcadia Group closures:

- Aberdeen (Dorothy Perkins and Burton)

- Ashton-under-Lyne (Topshop and Topman)

- Bedford (Topshop and Topman)

- Bluewater, Kent (Miss Selfridge)

- Cheshunt (Outfit)

- Fareham (Topshop and Topman)

- Glasgow, Buchanan Street (Burton and Topman)

- Luton (Topshop and Topman)

- Newcastle, Northumberland Street (Outfit)

- Nuneaton (Topshop and Topman)

- Reading (Dorothy Perkins and Burton)

- Salisbury (Topshop and Topman)

- Southend (Miss Selfridge)

- Stirling (Dorothy Perkins and Burton)

- Swindon (Miss Selfridge, Wallis, Evans)

- Swindon (Dorothy Perkins and Burton)

- York (Dorothy Perkins and Burton)

Ireland closures:

- Cork (Dorothy Perkins and Evans)

- Dublin, St Stephen's Green (Topshop and Miss Selfridge)

- Dublin, Jervis (Topshop and Topman)

- Dublin, Henry Street (Evans and Wallis)

- Dublin, Liffey Valley (Wallis)

- Galway (Miss Selfridge)