The bulk off the job losses were at Macob’s Cardiff head office with the rest at regional offices in Chichester, West Sussex.

The firm was placed in the hands of administrators Begbies Traynor on Tuesday who decided to cease trading immediately.

John Roberts, chairman of the Macob group, said: “The prevailing trading conditions have made it impossible for the contracting companies to win work at viable rates.”

Macob was established in 1981 and had a turnover of £40m from its contracting, development and support services divisions.

Administrator John Kelly said: “We’re still in the stages of making initial assessments but every effort will be made to ensure all assets are realised and that maximum recoveries are achieved for the creditors.”