FAMILIAR high-street retailer British Home Stores confirmed it would be going into administration yesterday as unions demanded the government step in to save the jobs and pensions of 11,000 people.

The chain is the biggest to go bust since 2008, when Woolworths filed for bankruptcy.

While up to 30 retailers are reported to have shown interest in buying BHS’s 164 stores, its pensions deficit of £571 million is unlikely to be picked up.