The Drum has learned that Edinburgh-based photographers' agent The Moretti Agency has closed.

Its founder, Dawn Moretti, said the six-year old business had gone into liquidation on the back of a "particularly difficult trading year for the industry".

She said: "A combination of factors have led to the closure: a reduction in the level of work being booked with the agency, resulting in recent difficulties with cash flow, and an overall reduction in budgets from clients who too are experiencing difficult times.

"Over the years The Moretti Agency has had the privilege of working with some great clients, artists and agencies and I extend my thanks to all those who have supported us over the years and in particular those clients and suppliers who continue to support us in what are very difficult times.

"This is an extremely distressing situation for all companies and individuals that are creditors and I extend my apologies and sincere regret to those who will be affected by this."

Moretti said that prior to the difficulties of the last year, the business had been trading profitably year on year since it opened.

When it arrived in Edinburgh in 2004 offering photographers representation and production services - billing itself as a photographers' agent - it claimed to be the first business of its kind outside London.

Over the six years since it has represented photographers including Mark Seager, David Boni, Robbie Smith and John Owen.

Now it is enlisting an insolvency practioner to help liquidate the company.