In recent years, JC&C had lifted annual turnover from around £3m to over £8m, while tripling the workforce.

The Corbridge-based firm worked for many of the major contractors in the north east, including Sir Robert McAlpine, Laing O’Rourke and Galliford Try.

Most recently it has worked on Vinci’s multi-storey car park scheme for Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary,  on the South Shields transport interchange and Newman catholic School in Carlisle.

Miles Joyce, with his brother Chris, ran the firm his father started in 1948.

Administrators from FRP Advisory are now handling the company’s affairs.