BANNER Holdings, the firm originally hired to build Colchester's controversial Visual Arts Facility, has gone into administration.

The Chesterfield-based firm has been engaged in a lengthy legal dispute with Colchester Council since it was sacked as Vaf builders in April 2009.

It is now expected the dispute, which saw Banner claim £1.4 million from the council, who in turn counterclaimed an estimated £2 million, will be thrown out.

Bell Advisory has been appointed administrators.

** See Monday's Gazette for more.