Both of Watford’s Phones4u stores have been permanently axed – costing nine people their jobs.

The mobile phone retailer collapsed into administration last week with accountancy firm PwC charged with finding a buyer for more than 700 of the stricken chain’s outlets.

Vodafone, EE and Dixons Carphone agreed to take on a combined 358 stores – but they have not come in to rescue the Phones4u outlets in the High Street or intu Watford.

Phones4u founder John Caudwell blamed the retailer’s demise on the "predatory" and "ruthless actions" of mobile phone networks.

EE announced on September 15 that it would not be renewing its contract with Phones4u as it wanted to concentrate on its own stores, following similar moves by Vodafone and O2 back in 2012.