The company said today: “Silverdell has requested a suspension of its shares from trading pending clarification of the Group’s financial position.

“Further announcements will be made as and when appropriate.”

A company spokeswoman said Silverdell was “working closely with its banks to resolve the issue” and a further update was due “sooner rather than later”.

The company currently employs 985 staff.

Managing director John Potts left the firm last month but the spokeswoman stressed his departure was unconnected with the recent announcement.

A winding-up order against the firm’s trading subsidiary Kitsons Environmental Europe was lodged in the High Court by a subcontractor last month.

One industry source said: “Their accounts department haven’t been taking calls for a few weeks.

“It’s been impossible to get through – you just get recorded music when you try to ring them.”

Silverdell closed four regional offices in June 2012 and paid £15m for specialist industrial demolition contractor EDS in May 2012.

The deal was funded through an £8.8m share placing.

Latest results for the six months to March 31 2013 showed revenue up 103% at £63.9m (2012:£31.4m) and adjusted operating profit up 157% at £3.6m (2012: £1.4m).

Chairman Stuart Doughty said at the time: “The outlook remains positive and we remain confident in the full year out-turn.”