A MUCH-LOVED Marks and Spencer store will close its doors for good today.

Customers will be able to shop at Marks and Spencer in the Dolphin Centre, Poole, for the last time on Saturday.

The store - which first opened its doors in 1971 - will close despite more than 3,600 people signing a petition for it to stay open.

An M&S spokesperson previously said: “We know that the store closure was disappointing news for some and we would like to thank all the customers who have shopped with us in store for their support and loyalty, and all our colleagues for their continuing hard work and dedication.

Read more: 'Mrs M&S' launches petition to save Poole store from closure

“We will be working hard to keep serving customers in Poole from our nearby local stores – including our Broadstone and Westbourne Foodhalls where customers can also click and collect shopping from M&S.com and our Castlepoint store which offers a large range of M&S food and clothing and home products.”

M&S superfan, Tricia Hercoe, launched the original petition to keep the store open and has since started another, hoping to see Marks and Spencer Foodhall open in the town centre.

There are currently 10 M&S stores in Dorset, however once the Dolphin Centre store closes just nine will remain. 

Just nine branches will remain in Dorset after the closure of the latest store. These can be found in Blandford Forum, Weymouth, Broadstone, Poole Hospital, Ferndown, Westbourne, Christchurch and Castlepoint.