A COMPANY specialising in the production of handmade bricks has completed an order for more than 20,000 bricks as part of the £8 million redevelopment of York's art gallery.

York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne near Easingwold, won the £30,000 contract to supply a selection of handmade and machine-made bricks to maintain the exterior of the Victorian building.

Guy Armitage, director of York Handmade, said: "It was a tremendous honour to be asked to provide bricks for such a prestigious project.

"The art gallery is one of the most iconic landmarks in York and this redevelopment will reinforce its position as one of the finest regional galleries in the country.

"We supplied bricks both for new South Gallery wall and the north-facing wall, by the new pathway leading from the Museum Gardens to Exhibition Square next to the Bar Walls.

"It was crucial we got the look right, otherwise the walls would have looked completely out of synch with the rest of the restored building.

"Overall the value of the job was £30,000, with more than 22,000 bricks used in total to match the Victorian originals.

"We worked closely with the architects Simpson and Brown of Edinburgh and the main building contractors Simpsons of York and are absolutely delighted by the result."

Due to re-open on August 1 this year, York Art Gallery's £8 million development is increasing exhibition space by 60 per cent and creating Centre of Ceramic Art.

Phil Rhodes, site manager of Simpsons of York said: "It was a pleasure to work with York Handmade. The standard of the bricks they supplied was first class and the end product looks excellent. It was a job very well done."

Mike Woodward, chief operating officer of York Museums Trust, added: "Wherever possible York Museums Trust tries to use and support local businesses in any project or development we undertake.

"We were pleased to be able find the skill and expertise of York Handmade right on our doorstep."