by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Jobs across the county are at risk after book chain British Bookshops and Stationers plunged into administration.

It is the first high street victim of 2011 and follows cash flow problems and weak business caused by bad weather in the run-up to Christmas.

The well-known town centre name has several branches in Kent, including Maidstone, Ashford and Canterbury, as well as many others in Surrey, Essex, Hampshire and its home county of Sussex.

According to The Bookseller trade magazine, a number of publishers declined to supply the 51-branch chain for an overdue bill, putting the firm into administration and threatening the future of 300 jobs.

Cash flow problems and bad weather in the run-up to Christmas have been blamed for the collapse.

The business was founded as Sussex Stationers in 1938 and is based in Brighton. It was sold by Irish booksellers Eason and Sons to private equity firm Endless in 2009 and is now run by a management buyout team.

Administrators at recovery specialists Zolfo Cooper said no redundancies had been made and the business was trading normally while they looked for a buyer.

Simon Appell, partner, said: "Today's appointment is unfortunately the result of cash flow difficulties suffered by the business, coupled with the tough trading climate for retailers and especially booksellers at present.

"This is an attractive company with a large network of stores across the South of England and we have already received expressions of interest from potential buyers.

"In the meantime, we would like to thank staff for their patience and continued professionalism during this difficult period."