The biggest company Quarmby Construction is set to enter administration in a move that will threaten more than 30 jobs.

The Ilkley-based construction firm said the downturn in the construction industry had made trading difficult over the past 12 months and it has failed to secure sufficient profitable new business.

Roger Quarmby, the founder and chairman of Quarmby Construction, added: “This is a very sad day for everyone concerned with the company founded over 40 years ago.

“There is unfortunately no alternative but to enter administration.”

In its heyday Quarmby Construction, which is part of St James Securities Group, boasted a turnover of £40m operating from the Scottish Border to the Home Counties.

It is understood that St James Securities Holdings decided that it was no longer viable to continue to provide funds.

In the Wiltshire, housing assiciation specialist CJ Deighton and Co is also set to go into voluntary liquidation.

The company has ceased to trade following a meeting held with corporate recovery experts Begbies Traynor, based in Bath.

Begbies Traynor partner Neil Vinnicombe has been advising the company and is expected to be formally appointed as liquidator of the firm in the next two weeks.

Vinnicombe said the company had been hit hard by a large contractual dispute combined with the poor economic climate and the difficulties faced particularly by the construction sector.

He said: “This has been a very good business over the years, and latterly employed some 13 people, but the business has run into cash flow difficulties, and reluctantly we have agreed it will cease to trade.”