COUNTRYWIDE, the Worcestershire-based firm supplying products and advice to the rural community, has gone into administration, according to national reports.

The Evesham based company is one of the UK's leading suppliers of agricultural goods, employing more than 700 people and has 48 stores.

Administrators have been appointed from KPMG, who said no "initial redundancies" had been made, according to the BBC.

The firm has stores across the county, including Malvern, Upton, Bromsgrove, and Ledbury, as well as the £4m headquarters which opened at Vale Business Park in Evesham in 2011.

A year ago the firm closed 14 stores and announced is was looking to sell off the remaining 53 stores.

At the time, a statement from the directors of Countrywide Farmers said: " It is clear to the board that the retail environment remains challenging and that to compete effectively for the long term will require further rationalisation of the cost base along with potential further investment."

It has been reported in the national media that a potential sale of the firm to Mole Valley Farmers Ltd fell through last October, and a new buyer is now being sought.

Countrywide was first established in 1902 as Bedford Farmers, before rebranding to Countrywide in 1999.