Another specialist clothing firm has been hit by the economic downturn, putting dozens of Kent jobs at risk.

Viyella, one of the country’s oldest clothing manufacturers, has gone into administration.

Around 450 jobs in manufacturing and retailing are under threat.

Viyella, whose origins go back to 1784, has six standalone and concessionary stores across the county - Royal Star Arcade, Maidstone, The Burgate, Canterbury, Blighs Court, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells (Fenwicks), High Street, Tenterden, and The Glades, Bromley.

Last year, the company made pre-tax losses of £615,000 on sales of £30m. Administrators at Birmingham-based Poppleton & Appleby hope to be sell the business and retain the brand.

Viyella, which also makes bedlinen, is the latest victim of the downturn, following other clothing retailers such as Adams Childrenswear, USC and The Officers Club/ Petroleum - all with outlets in the county - into administration.

The name Viyella came from a blend of wool and cotton first woven in 1893 in England and was the world’s first branded cloth.

The company became part of Coats Viyella, which manufactured and supplied womenswear to retailers such as Marks & Spencer.

The company was owned by Harris Watson, a business run by John Harris and Sue Watson.

In a statement, they said: "We should like to express our thanks to all the Viyella team for the hard work they have put into the business. Unfortunately the current economic downturn has undone all the efforts of the last five years."