TRAFFORD Centre is set to go up for auction in a move that could save the shopping destination from closure.

In June, it was announced that the centre's owner Intu had gone into administration leaving its future uncertain.

But now Sky News has reported that there is pressure from Intu's biggest lender for it to go up for auction.

Trafford Centre was last valued at £1.7billion but it is expected to sell for around 20 per cent less than this.

A spokesman for the joint administrators of Intu properties said: "All parties are working constructively together to maximise value for this highly attractive asset."