STAFF at two national store chains in South Devon face the axe as businesses continue to struggle during the global credit crunch.

Staff at B&Q in Newton Road, Torquay, were briefed earlier this week that 12 'customer advisors' could lose their jobs as management make changes to the way the store is staffed and that may lead to redundancies.

Yesterday KPMG, who are in charge of the administration of Quench First the company behind high street off licence Threshers, announced 381 stores across the country will close with 1,908 jobs expected in the latest swathe of cuts.

More than 30 staff in South Devon will be affected.

The new job losses come with the closure of Threshers Locals in Belgrave Road and Lucius Street, Torquay, which employ a total of 10 people. Threshers in Ilsham Road will also close with the loss of another five Torquay jobs.

Six people will be out of work when the Threshers Wine Shop in Fore Street, Totnes, shuts its doors.

In Teignmouth The Threshers Local in Wellington Street will close with the loss of six positions.

And five people will be out of work when Wine Rack in Bridge Street, Kingsbridge, shuts up shop.

Earlier this month First Quench announced the closure of Threshers Wine in St Marychurch, Torquay, Threshers Locals in Victoria Street and Palace Avenue, Paignton, Threshers Wine in Fore Street, Brixham, and Threshers Wine on The Strand in Dawlish.

The mini B&Q store in Newton Road has 45,000 sq ft ground floor space, an 11,000 sq ft mezzanine floor and 12,000 sq ft garden centre.

A B&Q spokeswoman said the store is currently 'overstaffed for the number of customers it serves'.

She said: "We will do our utmost to find an alternative role for those affected by this change but as a last resort there could be a risk of redundancies.

"As we are now in a period of consultation we are unable to comment further," added the DIY store's spokeswoman.

The development was built by Rok and opened in June 2008.

At the time of opening the store created 106 jobs.