Watford’s only remaining book shop is to close before Christmas, it has been confirmed today.

Waterstones in The Harlequin will close its doors for the final time on Christmas Eve.

The news comes almost three years to the day since Borders announced it was closing.

A Waterstones spokesman confirmed the closure citing "commercial reasons" but declined to comment further.

Watford’s proud association with the printing industry dates back to 1832 when John Peacock set up his press in the town and it is believed that at one time, up to 70 per cent of the town’s population worked in the industry.