The contractor, which operated out of offices in Billingham and Wakefield, also specialised in the design, manufacture and installation of lightweight steel frame solutions.

Established by Bill Browne in 1979, WA Browne provided drywall installations to the commercial and housing sectors and won awards for stud walling jobs at Broadgate in London and Sunderland Doxford Park.

It operated a directly employed workforce of more than 50 people.

Four years ago it bought an established painting and decorating business to offer turnkey services to clients covering joinery,fire stopping, ceramic tiling and suspended ceilings.

The administrators are Steven John Currie and Andrew Haslam of Begbies Traynor in Stoke on Trent.