All of Wilko’s 400 stores are set to close after a rescue deal for the chain fell through.

Stores across the country will close in early October, the GMB union has said.

It means redundancies now look likely for all 12,500 staff at the high street chain.

Administrators for the firm had been in discussions with Doug Putman, who owns HMV, over a deal to buy around 200 Wilko shops - but these talks collapsed.

It comes as 52 Wilko shops are preparing to close this week.

The Lowestoft store in Gordon Road off London Road North will close tomorrow and the Great Yarmouth store in the Market Gates Shopping Centre will close on Thursday

Wilko also has stores in Norwich, Dereham, Gorleston, King's Lynn, and Thetford.

The GMB Union said: “We are incredibly sorry to have to share the devastating news that (administrators) PwC have confirmed the previous offer being explored for the sale of hundreds of stores as a going concern has fallen through.

“There is now no prospect of saving the remaining store estate in its entirety and all Wilko stores will close by early October with DCs (distribution centres) to close on Friday September 15.”

It added: “Although separate bids may be made for leases of groups of sites, these deals will not secure jobs, although the option to take up new employment with the bidders for these sites is something we are now pushing for.

“This is not the news our members or the GMB had been hoping for or working towards.

“We share the sorrow and anger of every Wilko team member today.”

Both of Wilko’s warehouses, called distribution centres (DCs) will close this Friday.

A second round of store closures will be announced on Tuesday, the GMB said.

These 124 sites will close between September 19 and September 21.