THREE Blockbuster Video stores in south Essex are under threat of closure after the rental chain entered administration for the second time this year.

The stores in Basildon, Westcliff and Stanford-le- Hope could be included in the 72 of the firm’s 264 stores set to close.

A d m i n i s t r a t o r Moorfields Corporate Recovery wouldn’t say which stores will be closing when asked yesterday, but hopes to confirm today or on Monday which stores will be affected.

The store in Basildon, on the Heron Retail Park, has closing down posters hanging in its windows.

Earlier this year, Blockbuster stores in Rayleigh and Billericay were shut after the firm went into administration for the first time.

A worker from one of the south Essex stores, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I like my job here and I’m just keeping my fingers crossed we’ll be OK.

"Whatever happens though, it won’t be the same. We just can’t keep up.”