TOYS R US has begun a fire sale of its products after collapsing into administration with its Swindon megastore among the branches facing possible closure within days.

The major retailer announced today that it is to cut prices after last-ditch efforts to find a buyer proved unsuccessful. The closing down sale covers the entire Toys R Us and Babies R Us portfolio, including its outlet located off the White Hart roundabout on Swindon Road.

Discounts of up to 25 per cent are available on all products, including big brands, administrators Moorfields Advisory Ltd said in an announcement this morning.

Dozens of jobs are under threat at the outlet and at Maplin, which also went into administration this week and has a store on the Greenbridge Retail Park.

Simon Thomas, Joint Administrator and Partner at Moorfields, said: “We’ve introduced heavy discounts across the entire Toys R Us store portfolio today. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of these special offers as soon as possible. Whilst stock levels are generally high, customers may find that the more popular brands begin to sell-out over the coming days.”

Some stores may be subject to closure “in the coming days” so customers should “take advantage of the heavy discounting”, the administrators said in a statement.

Gift cards and vouchers will be honoured while the stores continue to trade but refunds will not be given for returns, which will be exchange only.

After the collapse was announced on Wednesday staff at the Swindon store said they could not make any comment. Administrators are winding down the chain, which had been struggling with a £15million tax bill as well as money owed to lenders. Nationally, the collapse has put 3,200 jobs at risk.

Mr Thomas said earlier this week: "We will be conducting an orderly wind-down of the store portfolio over the coming weeks.

"All stores remain open until further notice and stock will be subject to clearance and special promotions. “We're encouraging customers to redeem their gift cards and vouchers as soon as possible. We will make every effort to secure a buyer for all or part of the business."

The administrators would not be drawn on when or if the Swindon store might close, saying only that branches would be trading until further notice. However a sign at the outlet, saying that cash refunds would no longer be available, suggested that Mother’s Day is a cut-off point.

It read: “The company can no longer accept returns for refunds, however, we are happy to exchange goods that are unopened, in a resalable condition and have a valid proof of purchase. Exchanges can only be made whilst the stores remain open and therefore if you have an item that you wish to exchange, we would encourage you to do so as soon as possible and by 11 March 2018.”