COUNTRYWIDE Farmers has gone into administration – meaning the firm’s store in Station Road, Liphook, will be closing down.

Denes Countrystore merged into Countrywide Store in May 2014, and Paralympic dressage rider Natasha Baker made an appearance at the store to sign autographs as well as meet and greet guests.

Since then the store has been popular with horse owners and the farming community and many deliveries have been made to local farms.

Administrators were appointed on March 7, who intend to seek a purchaser for the business in whole or part and and has appointed Hilco Capital to assist in running the stores while exploring available options.

No date for the closure has been given so far.

On February 22, the store was the target of a burglary, when front entrance windows were smashed and a fire extinguisher discharged outside.

Police arrested a 19-year-old man, from Petersfield, on suspicion of burglary, after the suspect was caught on CCTV.

He was released from custody but remains under investigation, Hampshire Police said.