A BUILDING company which had been based in Colchester for more than 75 years has folded with the loss of 20 jobs.

W A Hills, which had offices in the Hythe, worked on building projects but administrators FRP Advisory have been brought in to run its affairs.

A company spokeswoman said it had been called in after cash flow difficulties caused by contractual disputes, delays in being paid and difficult trading conditions.

Jeremy French and Glyn Mummery, partners at insolvency firm FRP Advisory were appointed joint administrators.

Mr Mummery said: “It was not viable to trade on the business due to a lack of existing contracts and, more critically, an absence of sufficient funding, compounded by existing debtors not settling outstanding and overdue accounts.

“Regrettably, we had to close the business immediately and make 20 staff redundant. Our strategy now is to focus upon the best means for maximizing realisations of the company’s assets.”

The family-run business had been sold to Brentwood-based civil engineering company S Walsh and Sons in 2008. It ran an apprenticeship training scheme in joinery and also undertook restoration work for English Heritage.

W A Hills Ltd was approved by the National House Building Council, Constructionline and the Construction Industry Training Board