HIGH street retailer WH Smith will sell its Asia Pacific operations to focus on turning around its troubled UK business.

The company, which issued a profits warning after disappointing Christmas trading, is likely to confirm the sale alongside results next week.

According to the Financial Times, no buyer has been found for the Asian and Pacific stores, the bulk of which are based in Australia and New Zealand.

The group first announced in late January that it was reviewing its strategic options for WH Smith Asia Pacific -four weeks after it warned that annual profits would be "materially below expectations".

A spokeswoman declined to comment on the company's plans for the business.

The group is also likely to update the market on a review of operations, with job cuts among 1,000 office staff at Swindon and 200 employees in London likely.

A move to sell the Asia Pacific business, which consists of about 200 stores across Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, would follow the sale of the company's US businesses.

WH Smith's book chains in Australia, where it trades as Angus and Robertson, and New Zealand are the largest booksellers in their local markets and said to be worth about £30m. The chains were acquired in 2001.

The disposal will mark WH Smith's return to focus on its domestic business, which it has been trying to turn around.

The interim results will be the first major presentation by new chief executive Kate Swann, who joined the company from Argos last year.

In January, shareholders failed to block a £2.6m golden hello package for Ms Swann.