MOTHERCARE has named its new boss as the baby products retailer looks to shore up its UK business in the face of American takeover interest.

Mark Newton-Jones, who has run the company on an interim basis since March, takes on the £600,000 a year role of chief executive with the company the subject of a £266 million approach from Destination Maternity.

He will present a trading update ahead of the company's annual general meeting next week while a fuller presentation on his plans is due in the autumn.