Dozens more jobs in Thanet are under threat as high street giant Woolworths - which has four stores across the isle - plunges into administration.

The branches in Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Margate and Cliftonville are among 30,000 around the country who face an uncertain future after the firm revealed a £385 million debt.

Most High Streets in Kent have a Woolworths. The stores will continue to trade over the Christmas period. The administrators, Deloitte, said employees would continue to be paid.

Dan Butters, reorganisation services partner at Deloitte, added: "We’ve already received expressions of interest from a number of parties for both the retail and wholesale businesses, and we’re working hard to ensure that any sale of the business will preserve jobs."

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Do you work for Woolies? Do you have fond memories of the former favourite high street store? Let us know on thanetextra@thekmgroup.co.uk or call the news room on 01843 222777.

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Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union, described the news as "devastating" but was unable to confirm the possible number of redundancies at Woolworths’ Thanet stores.

John Gorle, national officer for Usdaw, said: "The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the stores will be of great concern to employees, so we’ll do everything we can to help communicate the situation to the staff as the situation unfolds.

"Many of the staff have served the companies for many years and are extremely dedicated and loyal. We’ll be doing everything we can to help them through this difficult time."

The UK's Woolworths has no connection with several retail chains around the world that carry the same name.

Meanwhile, at MFI more than 1,000 jobs are under threat after the furniture giant called in administrators.

The company, which has stores in Canterbury, Gillingham, Maidstone and Dartford, blamed the the accelerated downturn in the property market and "severe cash flow pressure". Its store in Ashford closed last month.