A High Street retailer, which went into administration five weeks ago, has been saved.

Fashion store Ethel Austin was forced to make redundancies at 33 branches across the UK in April.

Staff at the remaining stores, including one in Chatham HIgh Street, were left with an uncertain future as the company searched for a suitable buyer.

Their jobs now appear secure after the firm was sold to a new company formed by Elaine McPherson, the former chief executive of value fashion chain Mk One.

The sale means 267 Ethel Austin stores around the country will remain open, including the Chatham branch.

The store currently has nine members of staff.