Fears have been raised over hundreds of Scottish jobs after footwear chain Brantano confirmed it has gone into administration.

The company operates 140 shops and 60 counters throughout the UK, including around 20 shops in Scotland.

Around 2000 staff were notified of the decision on Thursday.

Joint administrator Pricewaterhousecoopers (PwC) say Brantano has been hit hard by the change in consumers' shopping habits and the changing retail environment.

Tony Barrell, lead administrator at PwC, said: "The continuing challenging conditions for ‘bricks and mortar’ retail stores are well documented.

"Like many others, Brantano has been hit hard by the change in consumers’ shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment.

"The administrators are continuing to trade the businesses as normal whilst we assess the trading strategy over the coming days and weeks.

"Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work during the administration."

Brantano was bought by Alteri Investors in October 2015.

Robert Moran, deals partner at PwC, is leading the sales process.

He said: "Brantano is an established value shoe retailer in the UK and Jones Bootmaker/Brantano businesses attracted considerable interest during the 2015 sales process.

"We are now assessing interest in the UK Brantano business as a whole or its parts and we welcome approaches from interested parties."

Brantano has two shops in Glasgow as well as shops in Inverness, Elgin, Inverurie, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Glenrothes, Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Lanark, Wishaw, Coatbridge, Paisley, Clydebank, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Ayr and Dumfries.