The number of listed companies issuing profit warnings hit a a two-year high last year, sounding a warning about possible strains in the UK economy.

Research by EY found that in the final quarter of 2017, 81 profit warnings were released by quoted companies, with support services and retail businesses feeling under the most intense pressure.

The support services sector suffered the highest number of profit warnings during the year - it was responsible for 42 of the 276 profit warnings issued by all listed companies during 2017, with 11 coming in the final quarter.

Included in this sector are outsourcers such as Carillion, which imploded earlier this month after a string of profit warnings last year. Its collapse into administration has put 20,000 jobs at risk and leaves 30,000 suppliers facing losses totalling £1bn.