Off-licences across the West Country are to close with the loss of more than 100 jobs, it was announced last night.

The closures come after First Quench, the company that owns Victoria Wine, Threshers and Wine Rack, went into administration last month.

Accountancy firm KPMG was appointed as administrator and had been trying to sell off the shops as going concerns.

But last night the company announced that more than 1,700 workers across the UK are to lose their jobs, with 373 stores closing.

Two stores in Bath - Threshers at Bathwick Hill and Local at Mount Road - will close, along with a Victoria Wine outlet at High Street in Keynsham.

KPMG said 247 of the First Quench stores being closed would stay open until November 25, while a further 126 are to stay open until December 2. Stock is to be sold off at bargain prices, with the administrators trying to cover as much of the losses as possible.

Richard Fleming, UK head of restructuring at KPMG and the joint administrator, said: "Unfortunately, after reviewing the viability of the store network, 373 loss-making stores are to be closed. As part of the closure programme, liquidation sales will take place at each of the stores scheduled to be closed with the stock being sold off at a discount."

First Quench operates around 1,200 stores in the UK and employs around 6,300 people.