Budget department store chain TJ Hughes was today placed into administration, putting the fate of more than 300 staff in the  Midlands in the balance.

Administrators from accountants Ernst & Young will run the business and its 57 stores while trying to find a buyer for the ailing business. TJ Hughes, which has 4,000 staff nationwide.

Two of its biggest stores are in the Midlands, with 86 staff being employed at Lichfield’s The Three Spires Shopping Centre and 87 workers in Wolverhampton’s Mander Centre.

Another 42 work at the store in Walsall, 38 at the Kidderminster branch, 35 in Redditch and 29 at Perry Barr.

The company was only bought in March by investment group Endless, which specialises in turning around struggling businesses.

Endless linked up with retail entrepreneur Anthony Solomon who became executive chairman of TJ Hughes, aiming to inject vital capital into the business.

But at the start of the week Endless revealed TJ Hughes would be joining the growing list of high street names that have slumped into administration.