The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has welcomed conservation students from nine countries.

The firm, based at Alne, near Easingwold, opened its doors to students on the one-year Historic Buildings Conservation MA course at King's Manor, University of York.

The students, from countries all over the world, including China, India, Thailand, Greece, Cyprus and the US, heard a lecture on the role of hand-made bricks in conservation work by David Armitage, the chairman and managing director of York Handmade, before being given a tour of the company's factory.

Mr Armitage said: "For some years now we have enjoyed a close relationship with this course, which focuses on brickwork among many other basic materials.

"Our pedigree in the conservation field has been forged out of our involvement in the restoration of many famous brick buildings both in the UK and overseas. It is wonderful for us to be involved hands on with the conservators of the future."

Dr Peter Gouldsborough, course lecturer, said: "This was a wonderful opportunity to see brick-making in action. It is one thing to learn about bricks and conservation in theory. It's quite another to see bricks actually being made. My students were able to see, feel and touch - and become part of the whole intricate brick-making process."

The York Handmade Brick Company recently announced record turnover figures for the past 12 months, during which the company won a prestigious Brick Development Association award for work on the walled garden at Scampston Hall, near Malton.

Updated: 10:51 Thursday, March 10, 2005