Three local branches of retail giant PowerHouse were closed today after being axed by administrators in charge of the struggling group.

Staff at the stores in Thornbury, Guiseley and Birstall were told yesterday that they were among 93 around the UK to close down with immediate effect. Each of the stores, which sell a variety of electrical goods, employs about 12 people in full and part-time positions.

Staff were reportedly angered by the way the news was broken to them but have been ordered not to speak to the media.

The PowerHouse chain was placed into administrative receivership last week after a trade insurer told some suppliers it would no longer guarantee their payments from the company as it had doubts about its finances.

Administrators Deloitte & Touche said last week that 93 stores would shut down immediately, resulting in 813 redundancies.

They were expected to make a further statement today as the first wave of closures came into force.

There are 223 branches of PowerHouse around the UK, including the outlets at the Woodhall Centre in Thorn-bury, West Side Retail Park in Guiseley, and at the West Yorkshire Retail Park in Birstall.

The company was formed from the loss-making retail arms of three regional electricity companies and was owned by Hanson before being bought by its management in 1996.

Last year, the Oxfordshire-based group's profits fell to £300,000 on a turnover of £384m. Nick Dargan, partner at Deloitte & Touche, said: "The company has already taken the decision to close 93 of its stores and the remainder will continue to trade as we try to find a buyer."

Analysts have predicted the chain may be sold off in parts to a variety of other companies, rather than being bought out by a major rival.