A NEW £700,000 manufacturing building has been opened by the award-winning York Handmade Brick Company at its factory in Alne, near Easingwold.

The "special products" building at the firm's headquarters at Forest Lane will start full production in April and will enable the company to increase its output by a million extra bricks a year.

Jobs are expected to remain at 32, but the new ability to meet a growing demand for "specialist" bricks for high-quality conservation work and architectural finishes will give the company the potential of raising its turnover from £2.2 million to £3.5 million.

For more than 19 years, York Handmade has supplied bricks, terracotta products and special bricks for conservation and restoration as well as new build.

Chairman David Armitage said: "Now, having built a strong foundation during these 19 years, York Handmade is progressing into an new phase of development. The construction of this 16,500 sq ft building, which includes a new kiln, is a crucial part of this.

"The opening of the special products building will herald an exciting new era for the company.

"A number of fringe products will now become much more mainstream and we hope to develop into new areas."

The new building has been constructed along sustainable lines. Mr Armitage said: "We are very aware of our carbon footprint. Our new building has been designed to attract a great deal of natural light, thus keeping artificial light to a minimum".

During the past few years, York Handmade has won a succession of awards in the Brick Awards, organised by the Brick Development Association.

These have included the Best Landscape Project award for the walled garden at Broughton Hall, near Skipton, and the Best Refurbishment Project for work for Scampston Hall's walled garden and restaurant, near Malton.