A PETROL station firm in Leigh and Atherton has become a victim of last year's fuel crisis with jobs under threat.

The future of the Save garages on Wigan Road in Leigh and Wigan Road in Atherton have been thrown into doubt.

The firm, which has 400 petrol stations throughout the country, has gone into receivership.

Administrators Ernst and Young are still trying to sell the company two weeks after they were called in.

The poor sales at petrol pumps last year when fuel protesters shut down garages for days is being blamed.

The company's chief executive and chairman have already resigned but Ernst and Young says Save is being traded as a going concern.

Administrator Alan Bloom said: "It continues to be business as usual at Save. Save has a strong brand and an extensive network. We are very hopeful of a sale."

He added the company had already initiated interest from a number of prospective buyers.

Save, the country's biggest independent petrol retailer, has 2,000 jobs dependent on its survival.