A last-ditch attempt by the owner of HMV to strike a rescue deal for stricken retailer Wilko has failed, intensifying fears over the future of thousands of jobs.Administrators for the high street chain had been in discussions with Doug Putman, of Putman Investments, over a deal to buy around 200 Wilko shops.

A last-ditch attempt by the owner of HMV to strike a rescue deal for stricken retailer Wilko has failed, intensifying fears over the future of thousands of jobs.Administrators for the high street chain had been in discussions with Doug Putman, of Putman Investments, over a deal to buy around 200 Wilko shops.