A department store with 90 years of trading history has gone into administration.

Nasons in Canterbury had been operating since 1929 and occupied its High Street premises in the city centre since 1962.

But it ceased trading at the weekend after facing "a perfect storm" of challenges.

Now the stricken company behind it, Nason's of Canterbury, has been formally placed into administration.

The appointed administrators are Andrew Tate and James Hopkirk from Kreston Reeves.

They will now deal with creditors and debtors following the store's closure.

Mr Tate explained: "Retail businesses are facing a perfect storm if increasing costs, rising business rates a fierce competition. It is a brutal environment and retailers across the UK are struggling.

“We have worked with the directors and staff at Nason’s to explore all opportunities to help the business, but no viable solution could be found.

“The staff and management at Nason’s have been extremely professional and resilient, and we would like to thank them for their help through this difficult time.

“We have been helping the employees to make their claims for redundancy and have received a great deal of support from the local Jobcentreplus.”