The York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne, near York, has added another award to its growing list of honours.

The independent brickmaker has won a Ceramic Industry Pledge Health and Safety award in the collaboration category at a ceremony in Stoke-on- Trent.

Denis Throup, health and safety officer for York Handmade, was presented with the award by Tim Foster, the Olympic rower and gold medallist.

The pledge awards are handed out annually to companies involved in the manufacture of ceramics ranging from the humblest brick to the smartest Wedgwood teapot. The industry employs 40,000 people and is still a significant employer in the manufacturing sector.

The Ceramic Industry Pledge scheme is a health and safety initiative taken by the industry to improve the record of all companies in the health and safety field, not only in terms of accidents but also in terms of health and especially in employee involvement in the safe and healthy management of the workplace.

David Armitage, York Handmade's chairman said: "We are particularly pleased to have won our first award under the Ceramic Industry (Health & Safety) Pledge scheme.

"What is most encouraging for us is that the award for collaboration recognises a team effort including operatives who work in the area for which the award was given. Their input was of major importance to the final outcome."

This award follows a record-breaking year for the company. In 2004 York Handmade comfortably exceeded the milestone turnover target of £2 million for the first time in its 16-year history.

Updated: 10:47 Friday, November 04, 2005