A NORTH Lancashire brickworks has been given a multi-million-pound boost thanks to growth in the housing market.

The Forterra plant at Claughton, between Caton and Hornby villages, manufactures frost-resistant bricks using clay mined from nearby Caton Moor.

Forterra, a leading maker of concrete and clay building products, has just completed investment worth £3.2 million at the site - increasing capacity to more than five million bricks per year.

A new dryer system has been installed and the factory control systems have been completely upgraded.

The company, which employs 1,800 people at 18 locations across the UK, has also created extra jobs at Claughton, thanks to increased housebuilding in the North of England.

Chief executive Stephen Harrison said: “It has been encouraging to see demand for our bricks rise in line with the growth in the housebuilding sector.

"The investment in new driers for Claughton has been critical in helping us to achieve the necessary increase in that facility’s output.

“In addition, we have increased operations at our Accrington brickworks, and we expect the plant to build up to full production utilising both of its kilns during 2018.”

The wide range of bricks made at Claughton is being updated to meet the construction industry's evolving needs, says the company. Manufactured from clay mined from Caton Moor, they are highly resistant to frost. Forterra says their "sustainability credentials" are enhanced by their long-life performance, low maintenance and high recycled content.

For more, visit www.forterra.co.uk, or follow the company on Facebook and Twitter via @ForterraUK.