Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo will make a return to Manchester this Spring.

The retailer will open its only UK store outside of London at the former BHS site in Market Street.

It marks a return to Manchester for Uniqlo after leaving the city in 2004, not long after it entered the UK market.

Posting on its Instagram account, Uniqlo said: "Uniqlo Manchester - opening spring 2019.

"Tokyo heads up North. Register for updates on our Manchester store opening at the link in bio."

Uniqlo launched 20 stores in the UK, but then closed 15 sites outside of London three years later, including two in Manchester.

It has been high on Manchester shoppers’ wish lists for a return and is set to open near some of its main competitors - Primark and H&M.

Pat Karney, Manchester city centre spokesman, welcomed the confirmation.

"It's fantastic news for Manchester's high street," he said.

"It will be the only Uniqlo store outside London in the UK. It's great news."

BHS closed on Market Street in August 2016, after more than 35 years on the city’s main shopping street.