Au Naturale jobs secured by sale

More than 500 jobs have been preserved by the sale

The administrators for homeware retailer Au Naturale have announced the sale of 46 of its remaining 59 stores.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers said more than 550 jobs would be saved by the sale of the stores to an unnamed buyer.

Joint administrator Graham Martin said the latest deal, together with those previously announced, had resulted in 1,900 jobs being protected.

He said the sales secured the brands of Au Naturale and its sister company, fashion chain Internacionale.

Mr Martin said: "I am delighted we have managed to secure a sale that not only preserves a strong high street brand but also protects the employment of 550 people."

At the start of April, 31 Au Naturale stores were sold to Opus Estates (England) Limited.

All Internacionale stores were sold on 1 May, with about 850 jobs transferring to the buyer, whose details have not been released.