KENDAL'S Beales store department store has been spared from closure.

The company's administrator KPMG this week announced it would close 12 of the stores after efforts to sell all 23 failed.

The 139-year-old business collapsed into administration in January after it was unable to secure a last-minute buyer.

KPMG, who were brought in to see if the business could be saved, said the 12 stores would run closing-down sales for around eight weeks, and staff would keep their jobs until then.

A spokesman said: "Employees will be retained to assist with trading over the weeks ahead and the joint administrators and their teams will continue to work closely with staff during this period."

The department store chain employs about 1,050 people in the UK. Administrators said there is currently no intention to implement closure plans for the other 11 stores.

The spokesman added KPMG remained in active discussions with interested parties regarding a going concern sale of the remaining stores.