THE York Handmade Brick Company, one of the leading independent brickmakers in the country, has won the Best Refurbishment Project award in the prestigious 2004 Brick Awards.

York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, won the award for its work on the acclaimed walled garden and new restaurant at Scampston Hall, near Malton.

The company was also shortlisted for the Supreme Brick Building award for the country house.

These national awards, run by the Brick Development Association (BDA) in conjunction with Building magazine, are the brick industry's Oscars.

In their citation judges said: "A once rundown 18th century walled garden has been given a new lease of life thanks to an inspired refurbishment and regeneration programme.

"This little gem of a project has created a viable local attraction where there was once very little.

The craftsmanship to the restored parts of the brick perimeter is so good that it is difficult to discern the extent of the work."

David Armitage, the chairman and managing director of York Handmade, said the award "confirms our pedigree as manufacturer of genuine handmade bricks which look comfortable in any traditional structure from the moment they are walled".

York Handmade was also shortlisted in the Best Refurbishment Project category for its work in restoring Myton Bridge, near Boroughbridge, to its former Victorian glory last year.

This is the third time the company has triumphed in the BDA awards, having won the Supreme Brick Building award for St Brigid's Church, Belfast, in 1995 and the Best Single House award for a private house at Chirk, near Wrexham, in 2003.

Updated: 11:27 Wednesday, December 08, 2004