More retail jobs in Kent are at risk after women's fashion firm Jane Norman went into administration today.

The clothing chain employs 1,600 people nationwide.

The chain operates 90 stores in the UK, including seven across the county - Ashford, Bluewater, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Folkestone, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

Accounting and business recovery firm Zolfo Cooper says it hopes to find a buyer for the retailer, which shut the stores on Saturday.

Department store chain Debenhams and knitwear firm Edinburgh Woollen Mill are reported to be interested in buying the Jane Norman chain.

Jane Norman, which targets the 16 - 25 age group, is the latest victim of the squeeze on consumer spending.

Habitat and the owner of Moben kitchens and Dolphin bathrooms have also gone into administration, threatening the Habitat outlet in Canterbury and the Moben showrooms in Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Folkestone and Aylesford.

Mothercare, Comet and HMV have recently announced plans to close stores.