Clothes chain, Pilot, has gone into administration and its Chilcomb, Winchester, head office, is closing with the loss of 100 jobs.

The fashion retailer managed to save 400 jobs nationwide by selling half its 70 stores before Christmas - including an outlet in The Brooks, Winchester - to the London-based company, Morgan Samuel Ltd.

Neil Bennett and Jonathon Schapira, partners in chartered accountants, Leonard Curtis, have been appointed joint administrators.

Mr Bennett said: "Apparently, the company had been suffering from bad trading conditions throughout 2004 and this was further exacerbated by weak sales in the period leading up to Christmas.

"We are currently reviewing the trading position, although it is likely that a number of stores will have to be closed."

The administrators have released the company's annual figures, which show it had a turnover for the year to January 31st, 2004, of £55.48m.

They refused to reveal its debts, but one source says the troubled company owes at least £9m to suppliers

A spokesman confirmed that the head office would be closing and that the payroll, bought ledger, human resources, customer services and warehouse workers based there would go.

"The administrators have appointed agents to get rid of the leases on properties no longer occupied and to sell fixtures and fittings so they can pay off creditors as best they can."

The company, which specialised in High Street designer clothes for work and leisure, was founded in 1984.