The High Street womens fashion chain Jane Norman has gone into administration.

The company which has debts of £140m shut down 89 UK stores over the weekend putting 1,600 jobs at risk.

The fashion retailer was put up for sale by its banks earlier this month following a period of poor sales but has since failed to secure a buyer.

The accountancy firm Zolfo Cooper has been appointed administrator to the chain.

Founded in 1952, Jane Norman’s "sexy and affordable” clothing is aimed at 16 to 25-year-olds.

The chain is currently owned by a consortium of banks.

Like many other high street retailers Jane Norman has been struggling with depressed sales.

The UK homewares shop Habitat has been another recent casualty of the economic downturn and was placed into administration on Friday.

A number of possible buyers for Jane Norman include Debenhams and Edinburgh Woollen Mills and and Aurora Fashions, which owns Oasis, Coast and Warehouse.