Retailer John Lewis has said that it is temporarily closing all of its stores - for the first time in its 155-year history.

The retailer has never before closed its stores apart from during World War Two, when the flagship John Lewis on Oxford Street in London was bombed in 1940. Partners set up a desk outside the shop and took orders to other shops.

The announcement comes as the UK has been rocked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement to close all pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and cinemas in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus. A number of other high street retailers have already closed their doors, including IKEA, TK Maxx, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge.