Mothercare has confirmed it intends to shut even more stores than originally planned - putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

The once mighty retailer has seen dwindling returns over recent years and in May confirmed it was planning to close a number of outlets.

Now it has confirmed 60 branches will close - nine more than originally envisaged - as part of a major restructuring of the business.

Mothercare currently has just three outlets in Kent - in Maidstone, Canterbury and Bluewater.

It is not yet known what stores will be axed.

As part of its overhaul, a fully underwritten equity issue aims to raise £32.5m from its existing shareholders. Once that is achieved, it will also trigger revised debt facilities of some £67.5m, provided by its existing lenders.

The company confirmed Mothercare UK Limited and ELC Ltd (Early Learning Centre) Ltd have completed the process of agreeing a CVA - company voluntary arrangement - which sees a deal agreed with creditors for revised repayments to allow it to continue to operate.

However, creditors did not agree to the same for subsidiary Children's World Ltd. As a consequence that has now gone into administration.

It means the group will end up with a UK estate of some 77 stores by June 2019, with 19 of those stores on reduced rent as part of the CVA agreements.

Clive Whiley, interim executive chairman, said: "When I joined the business just three months ago, Mothercare faced a bleak future with growing and pressing financial stresses upon the business.

"We have worked tirelessly as a team to get to where we are today and this fully underwritten equity issue marks the end of this initial phase, returning the group to financial stability. This could not have happened without the support of all of our stakeholders for which we are very grateful.

"Alongside the fundraising, we have been very busy on numerous fronts to restructure the group for future profitability.

"Whilst the lack of full approval for the Children's World CVA was disappointing, we have now found a solution which allows us to go further and faster with the right-sizing of our store portfolio. We have also identified significant areas for further efficiencies and cost savings, which will underpin our return to a sustainable future.

"The last three months of hard work and progress have put in place the foundations to get Mothercare back to where it should be as a fit for purpose business with a stronger and more efficient structure both for our UK business and our international franchisees."