A farming retailer has gone into administration after nearly 100 years of trading.

Kent Wool Growers (KWG) Ltd was set up in Ashford in 1920 with 73 members but had expanded to support more than 4,000.

But the farmer-owned co-operative, based at Tannery Lane in Ashford, has suffered a downturn in both retail and account sales, putting pressure on its cashflow.

The company, which employs 48 staff, offers a variety of services to farmers and the countryside, selling clothing, footwear, shooting accessories and vet medicines.

It has shops in Ashford, Eastry near Canterbury and in Handcross in West Sussex.

It had been rumoured to be seeking a buyer, but no firms have come forward to take over the company, while a plan to move to a new headquarters near the proposed junction 10a development fell through.

Now administrators Steve Absolom and Will Wright from KPMG have taken over and put the business up for sale.

It will continue to trade with a view to finding a purchaser for all or for parts of the business as a going concern.

Mr Absolom said: “We have received a number of expressions of interest in the business and assets, and so our efforts are focussed on achieving a going concern sale which will secure as many jobs as possible.

“The stores remain open and KWG continues to support the farming community as best it can in these circumstances.”

The company will continue to provide services such as farming clothing and footwear, equine supplies, animal feed and medicines, shotguns and shooting accessories, and a fuel brokerage service.