Hackers have stolen information from at least 45.7 million credit and debit cards used by customers of US discount retailer and TJ Maxx. Stores in the US, UK, Canada, Ireland and Puerto Rico are affected.

In a statement to US watchdogs the firm said it did not know the full extent of the theft and its effect on customers.

TJX added that the security breach may also have involved TK Maxx customers in the UK and Ireland.

But the company did add that at least three-quarters of the affected cards had expired or data had been masked.

The company also told the BBC that 100 files were moved from its UK computer system in 2003, and two files were later stolen.

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