A brick-making company has celebrated its 15th anniversary by spending thousands of pounds on equipment.

The York Handmade Brick Company, at Alne, near Easingwold, has installed a £300,000 kiln in its factory.

The computer-controlled kiln is the latest investment in a programme that has seen more than £1.5m spent on buildings and equipment during the past 15 years.

"The new kiln, which enables our bricks to be fired more quickly, flexibly and efficiently, is a symbol of what we have achieved since the company began in June 1988. It also heralds an exciting and challenging future," said chairman and managing director David Armitage.

"It will help us to respond quickly to all our customers' needs and enable us to break into new markets. We have already made our mark in California, Japan and east Germany and we will be looking to strengthen our presence there."

The company has an annual turnover approaching £2m and employs 28 staff.

Mr Armitage said: "It has given me enormous pleasure to help real brickmaking return to the Vale of York.

"Rural manufacturing has been in steady decline during the past 20 years, but the York Handmade Brick Company has bucked this trend in spectacular fashion. That makes me very proud."