SHOPPERS have been taking advantage of a sale at troubled camera chain Jessops while talks continued to try and save the business.

The chain went into administration yesterday, with administrators warning that branch closures were inevitable.

Jessops has around 2,000 staff at 192 stores, including branches at Bournemouth's Castlepoint and Poole's Dolphin Centre.

Administrators are not currently honouring returns or gift vouchers and have warned that continued trading is “critically dependent” on ongoing discussions.

Jessops’ Poole branch was doing brisk trade yesterday with a steady stream of customers popping into the Dolphin Shopping Centre outlet.

A number of bargain hunters were scouring the store’s shelves.

Business remained quiet at the Castlepoint branch on Thursday afternoon, but some shoppers were looking for bargains.

Jenny Moyle, from Bournemouth, said: “I just thought I would try to get a bargain before it closes down but I didn't end up buying anything in the end. It's a shame for the people who work here.”

Alan Smith, from Wimborne, said: “It's a shame that the shop's in trouble because there are so many businesses closing down. But people can live without camera shops because they have all they need on their phones and home computers.”