Trade and Industry Minister David Cretney has reiterated his department will do everything it can to help the staff of Woolworths in the Isle of Man.

The possibility of redundancies is becoming ever more real following the news a buyer hasn't been found, which would appear to signal the beginning of the end for the beleaguered chain.

Stores across Britain began closing-down sales yesterday, after administrator Deloitte moved to sell as much stock as possible in the run-up to Christmas.

As well as the potential job losses, Mr Cretney admits the eventual closure of the store will leave a big hole in Strand Street: