MORE than 1,000 jobs – including 50 in the North-East - have been saved at budget shoe chain Brantano.

The company fell into administration last month, after bosses admitted it had struggled to compete with shoppers moving away from the high street.

However, administrator PwC says it has now sold 140 stores and concessions to a company controlled by Alteri Investors, preserving 1,372 jobs.

The shops include bases in Bishop Auckland, Newcastle, Consett, County Durham, Catterick, North Yorkshire, and Scarborough.

However, PwC said 58 outlets remain unsold, including sites in Darlington, Durham City and Washington, Wearside, where 24 people are employed.

Officials says talks are continuing with interested parties, but have refused to rule out making redundancies if they cannot strike a deal.

Tony Barrell, lead administrator, said: "We continue to trade the remaining Brantano business while discussions with interested parties continue.

“We are working closely with Brantano employees and offering every support possible through this difficult period.

“Unfortunately, in the event further sales are not possible, redundancies will become inevitable.”

Alteri, a European retail investor, bought Macintosh Fashion UK, which includes Brantano and Jones Bootmaker, from Macintosh Retail Group, in October last year.