SIXTEEN jobs have been saved at two value clothing retail shops.

Relieved staff at Ethel Austin stores in Malton and Driffield are celebrating that they have been spared the axe by administrators.

They are among 90 stores bought from administrators MCR by Life & Style Retail Limited, a new company set up by Ethel Austin’s former owner Elaine McPherson.

It is the second time Ms McPherson has rescued the stores, having bought the chain from previous administrators in March 2008.

This time the collapse was due to failure to secure funding, compounded by poor trading figures in January.

Another 41 stores do not form part of the Life & Style rescue package. For these no buyer is on the horizon and they are scheduled to close during the next two weeks.

Ethel Austin’s sister company, Au Naturale gift cards, which also went into administration, is unaffected by Ms McPherson’s purchase, but MCR reports negotiations are continuing with prospective buyers and a sale is expected to be concluded shortly.

Caroline Sellers, manager of the Ethel Austin store in Wheelgate, Malton, said: “What a fantastic relief it’s been for all eight of us that we can now take down the ‘in administration’ signs. It was a shock because our store was actually doing very well.

“We have had terrific support from our customers who were rooting for us to be saved.

“I am not sure whether we will be given a new name and branding, but it hardly matters.

“What does matter is that we are safe. And the strain of the past eight weeks is now over.”

Amy Bell, a senior sales assistant at the Driffield store, said: “It’s brilliant news. Over the eight weeks of waiting all the staff stayed loyal and it is just as well that we did. Now we will plan a celebration.”

Geoff Boucher, joint administrator for MCR, said: “This is positive news for the 1,183 employees who were facing an uncertain future.

“We are pleased with the result and believe this is a suitable outcome, especially considering the tough market and the lasting financial pressures from the recession.”