SEVENTEEN people could face losing their jobs at Woolworths in Liskeard after it was announced that the retailer has gone into administration.

The store is one of more than 800 nationwide that may face closure following an announcement by the company's administrators, Deloitte and Touche LLP.

In a statement issued yesterday, a spokesman for the administrators said: 'Woolworths was placed into administration this morning and will continue to trade.

'Stores will remain open past Christmas and employees in store will be paid.

'We are glad that arrangements are in place to ensure that all wages will be paid in full this week.'

Cllr Nick Mallard, vice president of the Liskeard Chamber of Commerce, said: 'It would be a huge loss to the town and it's part of Liskeard's fame that we have the smallest Woolworths in the country.

'Any trading loss to the town is going to be detrimental.'

Tina Kelly is a regular shopper at the store and is concerned that there is nowhere else in the town like it. She said: 'I've been shopping there for years and it really is a part of Liskeard.'

So far no closures have been announced and any decisions will depend on the ongoing negotiations by the administrators to those interested in purchasing one of the UK's most iconic retailers.

The statement continued: 'In the last 24 hours we have received expressions of interest from a number of parties for both the retail and the wholesale businesses.'

'We are working hard to ensure that any sale of the business, in whole or part, will preserve jobs.'