The merger of West Midlands and the Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-ops has cleared its final hurdle.

West Midlands members have unanimously confirmed an earlier vote in favour of the merger.

Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op members also voted in favour at a series of meetings last month.

The merger, which will create the country's fourth largest co-op, will now become effective on 24 September'

The new organisation, which has yet to be named, will run 350 shops and a range of other businesses including motor sales, childcare nurseries, care homes, funeral homes and more. It will employ 7,000 people and have a total of 180,000 members.