Corby-based retailer Aquascutum in administration

Aquascutum, the 160-year-old British clothing retailer which has dressed Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother, collapsed into administration today, jeopardising 250 jobs.

The company runs its manufacturing base from a factory in Corby, Northamptonshire.

The business was bought by Jaeger's owner Harold Tillman and its chief executive Belinda Earl in 2009 but it continued to make "significant losses" despite their efforts to turn it around, according to administrators at FRP Advisory.

Joint administrator Geoff Rowley said he hoped there were parties interested in holding discussions over purchasing the business.

The administration move comes after Mr Tillman sold a majority stake yesterday in Jaeger, whose operations were tied in with those of Aquascutum.

Aquascutum operates three high street stores - at Westfield White City, Canary Wharf and Windsor - and has a further 16 concessions, including at Harrods.

Mr Rowley said: "We are conscious of the value of the Aquascutum brand and its long-standing heritage and because of this are keen to enter into early discussions with interested parties open to purchasing the business as soon as possible."