TROUBLED discount store chain Kwik Save yesterday closed another 22 of its stores, including three in the North-East and one in North Yorkshire.

Shop workers union Usdaw said staff were dealt the "devastating blow" yesterday morning, when they arrived at work only to be told they were being made redundant.

Stores in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, Blaydon, Tyne and Wear, Felling, in Gateshead and Selby, North Yorkshire, were among those affected in the latest round of closures.

Kwik Save shut 79 of its stores last month. Four sites in the North-East and a further two in North Yorkshire were affected, with the loss of aabout 100 jobs.

The discount chain then announced this week that 20 sites across the UK would re-open.

Usdaw's national officer Joanne McGuinness said: "Kwik Save has told us that they intend to close another 22 of their stores, bringing the total closures to 81, which is another devastating and deeply distressing blow to our members, who have performed miracles keeping the stores open.

"We will again make it clear to Kwik Save that this is not the way to treat hard working staff who have shown great loyalty to the company in very difficult circumstances."

Usdaw is now seeking a meeting with Kwik Save's senior management in relation to redundancy packages and long-term job security for the remaining staff.

Ms McGuinness said: "Usdaw will also be talking to Kwik Save about the strategy for the remaining stores and how they intend to resolve serious issues within the supply chain which has left some stores with little stock.

"We want to know how they intend to fully supply those stores, plus the 20 stores they intend to reopen next week, so our members can compete with their competitors on a level playing field."

Kwik Save is understood to have until today to complete refinancing or call in administrators. An application for a winding up petition is due to be heard today, but details of the rescue deal are to be announced. A company spokeswoman declined to comment.