JOBS are under threat across south Essex after entertainment retailer ChoicesUK announced it is set to call in administrators.

Hundreds of jobs across the country will be lost after attempts to sell the business failed and the administrators will be called in "as soon as possible", according to bosses.

The firm, which sold CDs and DVDs, blamed the problems on a declining market.

In south Essex there are stores in St John's Way, Corringham, Rayleigh High Street, Furtherwick Road, Canvey, the Royals Shopping Centre and the Greyhound Industrial Estate, in Southend.

John Dallaway, of Essex Chambers of Commerce, said any potential job losses were bad news.

He said: "The chambers would be greatly concerned about any major organisation that is having problems that could lead to people losing their jobs.

"Information technology is advancing at such a rate and people are getting more and more entertainment free from the internet.

"There is a real challenge to meet the changing markets.

"The administrators will come and make an assessment on how to best serve the shareholders, which could well lead to the sites being sold off."

ChoicesUK, which has its HQ in Peterborough, employs about 1,800 people and has around 170 stores across the UK.

The firm warned in April it would see bigger-than-expected losses, des-pite launching a major cost-cutting drive.

More than 250 jobs had been cut since September as part of a drive to save over £6million, which also saw the closure of stores.

The firm said recently it had been "plagued" by piracy in the music and entertainment industry, with the rental market suffering from the availability of pirated titles.