More retail jobs across the county are under threat as the Peacocks clothing chain hovers on the brink of collapse.

Hopes of saving the retailer, which also owns Bon Marche and operates more than 30 stores across Kent and Medway, appeared to have faded when the Royal Bank of Scotland was reported to have abandoned talks about a financial restructuring deal.

Peacocks has more than 600 Peacocks' outlets and nearly 400 trading as Bon Marche. It has debts of around £240million.

Reports suggest it will go into administration within days, putting some 10,000 jobs at risk.

Peacocks stores in Kent are in Dartford, Gravesend, Canterbury, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Margate, Westwood Cross, Chatham, Gillingham, Sheerness, Herne Bay, Sittingbourne, Walderslade, Ramsgate and Swanley.

Bon Marche shops are in Sittingbourne, Ashford, Canterbury, Sheerness, Maidstone, Gillingham, Chatham and Folkestone.

Peacocks joins a long list of troubled retailers including Past Times, La Senza and Hawkin's Bazaar.

Peacocks was founded as a family business in 1884 and became known as Peacocks Penny Bazaar.

In 2005, Richard Kirk led a £400m management buyout and it has become known for value-for-money fashion for women, men and children.

Some of its designs have been worn by celebrities like Natalie Imbruglia and Courteney Love. Bon Marche is aimed at the over-45s women's market.