The new build and refurbishment specialist had been in business for 134 years working across the UK from offices in the Midlands, the North West, South West and North Wales.

Bosses at the firm blamed its demise on disputed payments on a £4m job to rebuild Nechells Baths for charity the Birmingham Community Foundation.

Linford’s headquarters were in Lichfield where about 200 of its employees were based.

Richard Goodwin, of Birmingham-based corporate recovery firm Butcher Woods, is handling the insolvency.

He told the BBC: “The company is unfortunately another casualty of the difficulties currently being faced in the construction industry.

“We are doing what we can to work with all parties involved to maximise realisations.”

He said the redundancies were with “immediate effect”.

He added efforts would be made to find firms to buy existing contracts the company had which he said were at various stages of completion.

Linford chief executive Sean Wood said: “The situation has been brought about by a series of bad debts suffered by Linford Group Ltd.

“Probably the ultimate decision followed the news that a further outstanding debt would not be paid from a large contract in the Midlands.”