Childrenswear retailer Adams has applied to go into administration.

Adams, which has about 260 stores in the UK and around 2,000 staff, is expected to appoint PriceWaterhouseCoopers as administrator this week.

The 75 year-old company was rescued from administration almost two years ago by retail veteran John Shannon. As well as retailing from stores in the UK, it has an international franchise business and also supplies Boots with childrens clothing.

Adams is set to follow Zavvi, Whittard and The Officers Club, all of which went into administration in the days immediately before Christmas.