Just days after 35 jobs at Peterborough-based music and DVD retailer ChoicesUK were axed, the remaining 332 workers have been told their positions are safe.

Employees have endured weeks of uncertainty after ChoicesUK went into administration on August 21.

But yesterday, administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) announced it had secured a buyer, ending fears of further redundancies.

It is a remarkable turnaround for the company which has a headquarters in Orton Southgate, Peterborough.

Last week, The Evening Telegraph was inundated with calls from devastated workers who were called into an office and told they were being let go.

PwC spokeswoman Stephanie Howel said it was impossible to say whether those jobs could have been saved had the sale come a week earlier.

She said: "For now, all the jobs in Peterborough are safe. It is, however, up to the new buyer to decide what they are going to do with the business."

Yesterday, the "local" and "direct" wings of ChoicesUK, which deal with mail order and online sales, was sold to Findel plc, which has made the acquisition on behalf of its associate company, Webb Group Limited.

A PwC statement said: "All employees who work in 'local' and 'direct' have transferred to the new business with the sale."

A buyer has not been found for the retail wing of the company. In the meantime, the administrator is continuing to operate 139 stores across the UK.

Joint administrator at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Nick Cropper said: "Following an intensive sales process, I am pleased to announce the sale of the 'local' and 'direct' businesses to Findel plc on behalf of its associate, Webb Group Limited.

"The sale provides a secure home for the 'local' and 'direct' businesses, allied with strong management experience and capability.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the employees, suppliers and customers of ChoicesUK for their support and co-operation throughout this difficult time.

"Our next task is to sell the retail business of ChoicesUK. We have spoken with a number of interested parties and our priority now is to work hard to achieve a sale of the business as soon as is possible."

Managing director of Webb Group Ltd Bernard Kumeta said: "The 'local' and 'direct' businesses of ChoicesUK have strong prospects and are an excellent fit with our existing businesses. This transaction will take our revenues over £100 million."

ChoicesUK had warned in April that it would see bigger-than-expected losses, despite launching a cost-cutting exercise.