The firm, which built more than 30,000 houses across the North, called in administrators Baker Tilly in February.

Since then administrators have been looking for a buyer for the 87-year-old Hartlepool house builder.

A spokesman for Baker Tilly said: “Unfortunately, it was not possible to secure a sale of the business as a going concern and, as a result, the company ceased to trade on March 31 with the loss of 55 jobs.

“Obviously, the closure is very disappointing but the joint administrators are continuing to work with contractors, authorities and the National House Building Council to ensure that all scheduled sales are completed as planned and customers unaffected.”

The house builder was established in 1927 and purchased by Cecil M Yuill Limited in 1993, which sold it to Taggart Holdings in 2006.