The top building firm Rok has gone into administration.

The Exeter-based firm, which employs more than 2,000 trades people, issued the statement to the London Stock Exchange at 7am.

The statement said: "The board of Rok plc announces that it has resolved to put the company into administration and to make an application to the Financial Services Authority to suspend the listing and trading of the company's ordinary shares."

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In August, the company, which carries out projects for councils, schools, housing associations and businesses, reported a loss of £3.8m for the first half of the year.

At the time the group said it had uncovered "serious failings" in financial and operational controls.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "This is the second major failure of companies specialising in social housing maintenance this autumn. It is clear that urgent reform is needed and every consideration should now be given for taking social housing maintenance contracts back in house.

"The vagaries of the market have once again resulted in dedicated skilled construction workers fearing for their livelihoods and left tenants not knowing whether vital repairs on their homes will be made."

(GK/KMcA)