A new co-operative society has been launched as a "family of established" businesses voted to merge.

OurCoop has been formed by the merger of Central Co-op, Midcounties and Chelmsford Star and boasts over one million members and 13,000 members of staff.

The company has bases in Warwick and Lichfield and says it now provides a "stronger platform to invest, compete and support the long-term growth".

It has over 500 stores and 70 travel branches as well as 150 funeral homes.

Debbie Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of OurCoop, said: "Our new Society brings together co-operative businesses that support people through everyday life and life's bigger moments – from feeding families and caring for children, to keeping the lights on, helping people travel and supporting them through difficult times.

"By coming together, we can offer our Members an even greater breadth of products and services that meet their needs. We have the scale and connection to generate more value through our businesses, reinvest it for the long term and return more of that value to Members in ways that matter.

"That's the power of co-operation – a system where participation creates benefit and the more Members participate and trade with us, the greater the impact we can have together."