More than 40 jobs in Kent have been saved after the sale of the Bluewater outlet of zavvi, the CD and DVD chain.

But there was disappointment for four staff at the Dartford store which is to close.

Head Entertainment is taking over five zavvi stores including Bluewater, which employs some 48 people.

Head, a business led by Les Whitfield and former zavvi chief executive Simon Douglas, is expected to continue to trade the stores using the stock purchased in this deal and from other sources.

HMV has bought a further five stores, saving 111 jobs. Those outlets will be re-branded HMV. Both deals are expected to save 360 zavvi jobs but mark the end of zavvi as a high street name.

Tom Jack, joint administrator with Ernst & Young, said: "This is a fantastic result for the employees and customers of the stores concerned."

zavvi stores in Chatham, Hempstead Valley, Gillingham, Canterbury and Ashford all closed some weeks ago, with the loss of 30 jobs.

Mr Jack added: "I would like to thank all of zavvi’s staff and customers for their commitment and continued support for the business throughout the Administration. Whilst it has not been possible to secure a sale of the business as a going concern, we are delighted to have been able to secure continued employment for 629 zavvi employees."

The firm plunged into administration on Christmas Eve. Its future had been in doubt since the collapse of Woolworths, which was its main supplier.

Zavvi is another victim of the vicious economic downturn that has hit many well known names such as Woolworths and MFI.