One of Kent's oldest and biggest butchery firms with 11 shops across the county has gone into administration, putting more than 130 jobs at risk.

JC Rook & Sons has been established for more than 55 years after opening its first butchers in Dover in 1965.

But today all its shops failed to open, with bosses said to have put the business into administration.

It has left staff heartbroken and is a huge blow to the industry and high street where the firm has outlets in Broadstairs, Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Gillingham, Herne Bay, Hythe, Maidstone, Southfleet, Ramsgate and Sittingbourne.

Writing on the Broadstairs' shop's Facebook page this morning, manager Dean says: "It's a sad day. JC Rook & Sons went into administration last night. I got a phone call at 8pm saying we cannot open today or in the future.

"I am absolutely heartbroken at this time in writing this, not just for myself but my fantastic team I had working for me and also for the town of Broadstairs.

"In the nearly five years I have been back at the shop, we as a team have turned it around and moved it forward.

"Thank you everyone for your support over the years, you have been fantastic."

Meanwhile, another butcher, Taylor Meats of Herne Bay, wrote on its Facebook page: "A sad day for the meat industry, the High Street, the staff and the customers.

"You have to support your small businesses guys. Use us or lose us."

It is not clear what difficulties have caused Rook's to fail and no one from the company could be contacted for a comment.

According to its website, the Rook family has had a connection with the meat trade since the 18th century, originating in and around Norfolk.

Joseph Christmas Rook, a butcher since leaving school (except during the war when he joined the RAF), opened the first JC Rook and Sons in Dover, with two of his sons, Michael and Roger, in 1965.

John and Peter at the same time opened a manufacturing factory in Sandwich, designed to supply chip shops with pies and sausages.