Mothercare has announced it will close 110 of its high-street stores across the UK by 2013.

The news is the latest sign of how Britain’s retail sector is desperately struggling, despite the recession officially ending more than 18 months ago. 

Mothercare believes the decline of high-street trading alongside increased competition from internet sales is to blame for the closure of nearly a third of its UK stores. 

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Mothercare also believes that rents on the high-street are driving retailers off the high-street.

"The UK high street is far from dead, but the rents are massively overpriced," said Ben Gordon, Chief Executive of Mothercare.

"These leases were signed in an era before out-of-town stores and online sales began to take trade away from the high street. Rents have to come down."

Mothercare, which also runs the Early Learning Centre brand, plans to grow its online presence and will continue its aggressive overseas expansion. 

The baby and children’s retailer aims to open another 150 stores outside the UK.

"Ninety nine percent of the world's babies are born outside the UK, so it's a massive market," said Gordon.

"China and India offer huge opportunities, with a big appetite for our products from middle-class parents," he added.