More than 80 staff at Oxfordshire branches of crisis-hit retailer Focus DIY are still facing an uncertain future, weeks after the chain was taken over by administrators.

The Oxford Mail understands the Witney branch will be taken over by rival concern B&Q, but as yet there has been no news with regard to the branches in Didcot and Wantage.

To date, 31 stores across the UK have been snapped up by B&Q owner Kingfisher while a further 13 have gone to Wickes and 11 to discount retailer B&M Retail, administrators at finance firm Ernst & Young have confirmed.

That leaves staff at 120 stores including 35 in Didcot and 16 in Wantage waiting for news on their future.

Meanwhile, the 36 workers in Witney are still no clearer on their future despite the move by B&Q.

It is understood staff may have to re-apply for their jobs and the store may close temporarily after a visit by liquidators this week.

Focus DIY collapsed at the start of the month with administrators saying it had been hit by low consumer confidence and a weak housing market, which had placed considerable pressure on sales and margins.

Since then, all the stores have continued to trade while the hunt for buyers continues.