CRAWSHAW'S butchers in Bolton town centre has closed with the loss of eight jobs.

The shutters came down on the Newport Street premises last week after the chain went into administration.

It is one of 35 Crawshaw shops across the North and Midlands which has closed, along with a distribution centre in Astley, resulting in the total loss of 350 jobs.

The announcement follows the appointment of administrators to the group on Friday, after it failed to secure additional funding.

A rescue deal could safeguard the remaining 19 stores and 261 staff but it comes too late for the Bolton shop.

The collapse of the company came after several years of financial losses.

According to its latest set of results for the six months to July 29, the group posted revenue of £21.6 million and a pre-tax loss of £1.7 million.

Food mogul Ranjit Boparan holds a near 30pc stake in the business and his 2 Sisters Food Group also supplies Crawshaw.

The "chicken king" - so-called because of 2 Sisters' large-scale involvement in the poultry trade - is also an adviser to the board.

Shares in the AIM-listed company were suspended last week as it issued a notice of its intention to appoint administrators.