A design studio has announced it will close in September.

ASF Weave, originally known as the Ann Sutton Foundation, set up research fellowships for postgraduates to study textiles.

Many of the alumni from the Arundel-based studio have gone on to work in the fashion and furniture industries.

But ASF Weaves director said the decline of the textile industry had forced the closure.

Linda Fredericks said: "As ever, when a chapter closes it is sad, but it has been a fantastic journey and the time is now ripe for a different model of working.

"Given the demise of the textile industry and without the expected level of industry investment in design research projects, it has become impossible to sustain the fellowships in their present form.

"It has been a privilege to work with teams of such talented designers.

"I thank them for their huge contribution to the cutting-edge work of ASF Weave.

"Their creativity and technical brilliance has raised the profile of woven textiles to new levels and pushed its applications into new fields."

The studio, established in 2000, will stay open until September.

Mrs Fredericks will step down as director this month and Lisa Philippou will remain as manager until the closure.

The studio gained a reputation as a "base for experimental design research and development of woven textiles".

ASF Weave said its students had "challenged the boundaries of how weavers work within art, science and industry and influenced the broader current debates around crafts."

Sally Abbott, director of arts at Arts Council England, South East, which has supported the organisation since the beginning, paid tribute to the studio.

She said: "The influence of ASF Weave has framed the way we now think and talk about woven textiles.

"Its innovative way of working with young weave designers has shaped a new generation of talented weavers, creating a legacy that will extend far beyond the six years it has been in existence."