BELEAGUERED retailer Toys ‘R’ Us’ woes have continued after administrators started closing down sales across its stores.

Officials say prices have been slashed by as much as 25 per cent.

The move comes after the business was placed into administration earlier this week, putting more than 3,000 jobs at risk.

The retailer, which complements a base on Teesside Retail Park, near Stockton, with outlets in Gateshead and Sunderland, had been grappling with a £15m tax bill and money owed to lenders amid intense trading pressure, having previously unveiled a plan to shut loss-making stores and secure deep discounts on rental costs.

All of its stores remain open, but administrator Moorfields Advisory has warned some outlets may close in the coming days.

Simon Thomas, joint administrator and partner at Moorfields, said: “We’ve introduced heavy discounts across the entire store portfolio.

“Customers are encouraged to take advantage of these special offers as soon as possible.”

Mr Thomas added gift cards and vouchers will be honoured while shops continue to trade.

Toys ‘R’ Us’ woes have been compounded by the struggles of electronics retailer Maplin, which also feel into administration this week.

The company, whose product portfolio stretches from drones to dash cams, said it had found it “impossible to raise” the capital needed to shield itself from tough high street conditions.

The business has a store on Pity Me's Arnison Retail Park, on the outskirts of Durham City, as well as sites in Gateshead and Middlesbrough.