Morrisons said it had agreed to sell the stores, valued at about �87.6m, for an amount in line with expectations.

The Bradford-based company was ordered to sell off 52 sites after its �3bn takeover of Safeway earlier this year to comply with competition rules.

A Morrisons spokesman said he will give further details once the sale has been completed.

The stores being sold are in Newton-le-Willows, St Helens, Garforth in Leeds, Redcar, Ingleby Barwick, Sheldon in Birmingham, Crewe, Carnforth and two in Sheffield.