The moves will cut over 200 jobs.

The closures come as Hewden reported revenues around 10 per cent down for the latest quarter. Hewden currently operates from 102 depots and employs 1,750 staff.

The firm said 12 depots will be closed in Barrow in Furness, Cambridge, Elgin, Heathrow, Isle of Wight, Jersey, Melksham, Redditch, Chester, Shrewsbury, Thatcham and Yeovil before the end of March 2009.

A further 10 depots will be merged with nearby locations with all assets and customers transferred.