A UK plumbing firm has collapsed into liquidation after nearly five decades in business.

G.W. Monsons and Sons Limited, headquartered in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, began its winding-down process on May 16.

The commercial boiler specialist is set to hold a final annual meeting at 10am on June 23.

The gathering will take place at the offices of Lecale Corporate Finance and Restructuring Limited, 50 Stranmillis Embankment, Belfast.

The firm was incorporated on March 18, 1977, with the winding-up period expected to last approximately three months.

According to The Gazette, the annual meeting will either result in the liquidator's final report and receipts and payments account being approved, or the liquidator being granted his release.

The precise number of staff affected by the closure remains unknown.

A number of businesses are currently facing difficulties, with another plumbing outfit also entering liquidation owing to cashflow pressures.

Centurion Plumbing Services Ltd, based in Muir of Ord in the Scottish Highlands, reportedly ceased trading on March 31.

The closure of Centurion is believed to have cost at least ten workers their jobs.