The York Handmade Brick Company has been named among the leading independent brickmakers in the country after winning a major prize in the 2015 Brick Awards.

York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, won the Best Outdoor Space category in the brick awards for its “magnificent achievement” in restoring the Belvedere and Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden at Dumfries House in Scotland.

In addition the Belvedere was shortlisted in the Craftsmanship and Best Refurbishment Project categories, while York Handmade was also nominated for its work on Carmelite House on London’s Victoria Embankment.

David Armitage, chairman and managing director of York Handmade said: "We are absolutely thrilled. This was a very exciting and challenging project for us, superbly supervised and executed by our sales manager Mark Laksevics and specials manager Mark Todd.

"It involved creating 47,000 bricks which fitted in perfectly with the ravaged boundary wall of the walled garden as well as unique specials for the Belvedere Folly and the Education Centre at Dumfries House.

"The project was overseen by Prince Charles and we were very proud when he praised the quality of our bricks at the opening of Dumfries House. Now this wonderful award had added to our delight.

"Huge thanks are due to the management team and employees at York Handmade for their imagination, enterprise and hard work, which all combined to make this award possible."

The Brick Awards’ judges commented: "This project could be considered a winner over several categories. It is absolutely stunning, a magnificent achievement. The five-acre walled garden was derelict and within a twelve-month period the garden has been transformed into one of the most interesting walled gardens in this country.

"The external garden wall with its sloping brickwork has been repaired to a very high standard and the Belvedere sits as a crown above the garden. The project has given local employment to some 80 people and provides access for 5,000 primary pupils in the adjoining kitchen garden."

The awards were presented at the Hilton Park Lane in London’s West End, and are run by the Brick Development Association in conjunction with Building magazine, and compered by television personality Nick Knowles.

York Handmade also provided the bricks for Boxmoor Construction’s Springfields development in Reading, which was short-listed for the Specialist Brickwork Contractor of the Year prize.