West Midlands Co-op members have voted in favour of a merger with the Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-op.

The merger, which will be effective on September 24, will create the fourth largest society of its kind in the country.

No name has been chosen for the organisation, which will run 350 retail stores and a range of other businesses, including motor sales, childcare nurseries and care homes, employs 7,000 people and has a total of 180,000 members.

Doreen Shaw, president of West Midlands Co-op, based at Walsall, said: "The merger of two of the UK's most successful co-ops will create a new society that will build on the strengths of each partner."