MORE than 2,000 jobs at crisis-hit department store chain Allders appeared to have been saved last night after rival retailers bought 24 of its stores.

Bhs - owned by the retail tycoon Philip Green, who last year launched a failed takeover bid for Marks & Spencer- took over ten outlets put up for sale by administrators.

Debenhams added eight stores to its portfolio and Primark bought six.

Corporate recovery specialists Kroll said it was now studying the options for the remaining 21 stores and the Allders head office, in Surrey.

Allders went into administration last month after falling victim to tough trading conditions and the failure of its owners to find a buyer.

Nearly 700 staff were made redundant on Friday, in addition to the 130 cuts already made at the head office of the 143-year-old business.

It is hoped the stores will be handed over to their new owners by the end of next month.

Primark owner Associated British Foods said it expected to begin trading by the autumn at its six outlets.

It currently trades from 121 sites.

Bhs will expand from more than 160 sites through the addition of its Allders stores, including one in York.

Debenhams chief executive Rob Templeman said the acquisition of eight Allders stores had pushed it nearer its goal of operating more than 200 outlets in the UK and Ireland.