A York company has been supporting the restoration of a Victorian bridge in North Yorkshire, by supplying 20,000 bricks.

York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold was able to bridge a gap in the market as the region's only brick maker, and provide Victorian-style bricks to restore the bridge.

David Armitage, the chairman of York Handmade said: "We have been proud to help recreate a piece of history in Myton, as well as providing an important crossing point over the River Swale. "We used our Renovation bricks, which have an almost identical to the original Victorian bricks."

The historic bridge at Myton-on-Swale, near Boroughbridge, was originally built in 1868 but was deemed unsafe for public use and closed in 1998.

However at a cost of more than £350,000 the 200 ft long bridge has now been restored to its former glory.

The restoration project involved North Yorkshire County Council, The Heritage Lottery Fund, Hambleton District Council and the Friends of Myton bridge. The bridge was officially reopened earlier this month by Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.

Updated: 08:43 Wednesday, June 25, 2003