Branches of Jones Bootmaker across the East of England have been saved after administrators agreed a sale of the troubled footwear retailer.

The majority of the business and its assets have been bought by private equity firm Endless LLP, securing 840 jobs, though 25 stores and six concessions have not been included in the sale.

Their immediate closure will result in the loss of 262 jobs, though the Jones stores in Norwich, Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds will remain open.

Will Wright, joint administrator at KPMG, said: 'We are delighted that we have been able to rescue such an iconic UK footwear brand as Jones Bootmaker, including a high proportion of stores and preserving a large number of jobs, especially given the current economic pressures faced by retailers across the UK.

'This deal recognises the value of Jones as a strong and popular high street brand with a loyal customer base.'

The complete list of stores to close, and the number of staff affected, is as follows:

Midlands

Birmingham Grand Central (15)

Lincoln (8)

Merry Hill (9)

Northampton (10)

Nottingham, Listergate (17)

Sutton Coldfield (10)

North East

Durham (12)

Newcastle (9)

North West

Carlisle (6)

Concessions in Isle of Man (0), Lytham (6), Nantwich (4)

Scotland

Aberdeen (13)

Edinburgh, Lothian Rd (5)

Glasgow, Buchanan St (8)

Inverness (5)

South East

Basingstoke (9)

Crawley (8)

Lakeside, Essex (12)

London: Langley Court (6) & Covent Garden (7), Jubilee Place (10), St Christopher's Place (6), Wimbledon (9)

Milton Keynes (14)

Oxford (7)

Concessions in Chelmsford (5), New Milton (5), Romsey (5)

South West

Barnstaple (10)

Bath, Lawrence St (12)