More than 80 jobs in the county’s branches of the Focus DIY chain are under threat after the business collapsed.

Administrator Ernst & Young was called and has launched a hunt for a buyer for its stores including those in Didcot, Wantage and Witney, in a bid to sell the business as a going concern.

Joint administrator Simon Allport said Focus had been hit by low consumer confidence and a weak housing market.

The business, which runs 175 stores and employs 3,920 staff including 34 in Didcot, 33 in Witney and 16 in Wantage, will continue to trade as normal.