A GLIMMER of hope remains that four Flintshire stores facing closure could be saved at the 11th hour.

Popular fashion chain Ethel Austin has gone into administration prompting fears that its outlets in Shotton, Mold, Flint and Buckley will close.

But joint administrators Geoff Bouchier, Philip Duffy, and David Whitehouse of MCR said they had not ruled out finding a new buyer.

Geoff Bouchier said: “MCR is now conducting a parallel strategy.

"All stores are to enter into a sale campaign commencing tomorrow while we continue to seek a purchaser for the company’s businesses.”

Sales started today at 129 stores identified as lossmaking and more than 450 staff have been made redundant from the company’s distribution centre and head office in Knowsley.

It is not yet clear whether the four stores in Flintshire have been indentifed as loss making.

Mr Bouchier added: “The joint administrators have also been in regular dialogue with both the trade unions and local government authorities during this time to discuss the immediate prospects of the companies and that of the employees.”

It was confirmed yesterday that all staff will receive all unpaid wages owning at the date of administration.