Jobs are under threat in Kent after two major UK retailers announced sweeping closures and redundancies.

JJB Sports and Ethel Austin are making cuts following financial troubles, placing numerous employees across the county in danger of redundancy.

Sports chain JJB Sports, which has 10 branches in Kent, is to close 72 of its 400 nationwide stores by the end of the month as a result of a sharp drop in profits.

The firm said closing some of its stores is the only way forward, following a financial review. Of the 1,200 people working at the stores, only 400 will be redeployed across the company.

JJB Sports has branches in Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Dover, Bexleyheath, Orpington, Chatham, Gillingham, Gravesend and Bluewater, but it is not known which stores will be affected and managers were unable to comment at present.

Chief executive, Chris Ronnie, said: “The 72 stores are being closed because they are not profitable and are a huge drain on the business.”

A spokesman for the company added: “We are not releasing details of which stores are set to close at this stage because the company is still in consultation with its staff.”

Fashion store Ethel Austin, is now in administration and has already made at redundancies at 33 branches.

A spokesman for Ethel Austin said: “We will continue to focus our efforts on finding a suitable buyer for the business and are already talking to interested parties.

“We cannot rule out the possibility of more stores closing in the future.”

The firm’s branch in Chatham High Street branch confirmed it was safe from the axe at present, but could be at risk if the company fails to find a buyer.

Ethel Austin stores in Gravesend, Orpington and Dartford were unable to comment on the process at this stage.

Orpington shoppper Helen Tait, 34, said outside the branch: "I have shopped in the store before although things have got a bit more expensive.

"I'm not really surprised but I suppose it is sad in a way. So many shops are closing down nowadays."