The firm, which was set up just over 11 years ago, employed up to 80 staff in its heyday.

Around this time five years ago it operated as a national roofing and cladding contractor working on retail and leisure parks from Scotland to Cardiff and London.

But the firm Bishop Auckland roofing and cladding specialist was hit hard by the downturn and fiercely competitive bidding from firms moving onto its patch.

According to the last filed accounts for 2009, it ran up a loss of £176,000 in 2009, and carried a £1m overdraft with the bank.

Staff levels fell to around 20 as the firm downsized and turnover slipped below £10m.

Administrators at the Leeds office of Mazars are handling the contractor’s affairs.