Phones 4u workers in Kingston and Surbiton were at risk of losing their jobs today, after the firm slid into administration.

Despite recording a £105m profit last year, the retail chain has seen the country's biggest mobile phone companies withdraw their business in recent months, with Three, O2 and Vodofone all cutting ties with Phones 4u.

The exodus culminated on Friday, when EE announced it would no longer be selling phones through the company. 

More than 5,500 jobs are now at risk - including 14 positions in Kingston and Surbiton.

All of the  company's UK stores were closed today, including in Victoria Road, Surbiton, and Clarence Street and the Bentall Centre in Kingston.

A worker at the Bentall Centre store declined to comment.

Today the Phones 4u website is offline, and bears only a message from the firm's "heartbroken" workers.

Phones 4u chief executive David Kassler said: "Today is a very sad day for our customers and our staff.

"If the mobile network operators decline to supply us, we do not have a business.

"A good company making profits of over £100 million, employing thousands of decent people has been forced into administration.

"The ultimate result will be less competition, less choice and higher prices."

Phones 4u said all mobile contracts bought through the company will remain unaffected and the networks will continue to provide mobile services to these customers.