Another 125 Comet stores will be closed, administrators Deloitte have announced.

Just 70 stores will now remain open while the collapsed electrical retailer attempts to sell off its remaining stock.

It means that around 3,000 jobs will be lost over the next few weeks.

The announcement piles on even more woe for Comet's remaining employees - over 1,000 have already been axed since the company entered administration on 2 November.

Joint administrator, Chris Farrington, said: 'We remain in discussions with a small number of interested parties and hope that a positive outcome can still be achieved. Should any acceptable offers be received for stores we will delay the closure process.

'Unfortunately, in the absence of a firm offer for the whole of the business, it has become necessary to begin making plans in case a sale is not concluded. If a sale is not possible we would envisage stores to begin closing in December.'

Deloitte is also looking to close the company's Harlow distribution centre on Friday as well as making further cuts at its office functions at Rickmansworth, Hull and Clevedon, near Bristol.

In February, private investment firm OpCapita paid just £2 for the beleaguered retailer.

Retailing rivals such as Dixons Retail and TK Maxx are believed to be discussing buying some Comet stores, while Appliances Online has expressed an interest in securing the Comet brand and website.

Entrepreneur Clive Coombes is rumoured to be offering to buy up to 180 stores, but funding options are said to be unclear.

Comet employed 6,100 staff before entering administration.