The company is now being run by administrators from Duff & Phelps who are hoping to sell off the firm’s remaining branches.

Duff & Phelps were called in last Friday to WTB Trading Ltd – which is the main trading arm of the Burdens Group – and WTB Group yesterday.

Philip Duffy of Duff & Phelps, said: “Due to the established name of Burdens and quality of the business we have already been able to sell three of the branches within the group and have had interest expressed in the remaining thirteen.

“We will continue to trade the company as a going concern whilst we continue discussions with those parties interested in acquiring some, or all of the remaining branches.”

The company had a turnover exceeding £250m with over 750 employees based out of 38 branches throughout the UK.

Wolseley bought 22 branches from Burdens last month for £30m and the latest sales were to the Bradford Group.

The 22 branches now owned by Wolseley continue to trade under the Burdens name.

A Wolseley statement said: “We can confirm that we have renamed the new legal entity Wolseley Utilities Ltd although the business will continue to trade as Burdens.

“We are aware that the company Wolseley purchased the 22 Burdens’ branches from – WTB Trading Ltd (formerly Burdens Ltd) – has now gone into administration.

“This doesn’t make any difference to Wolseley Utilities Ltd.

“Any future developments at WTB Trading Ltd or any of its associated businesses will not affect us in any way.”